DCLM DAILY MANNA - Faith That Works

Friday November 25, 2016

Faith That Works

-JAMES 2:10-26

Key Verse:

"Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works" (James 2:18).

It is all too easy to seek to extol our personal virtues, to flaunt our spiritual gifts, to make ourselves look better than other people. But whereas this may impress men, it accounts for little or nothing before God. What matters to Him is the result of whatever spiritual experiences we claim to possess. The Apostle James underscored this point when he stressed that believers must not strive for half measures. They either obey all the laws or fail in all. Their words must match their actions. In the same vein, he said if they profess to possess faith, it can only show by their good works. It is no use telling someone in need who came to you for help, that God will bless him. Without giving him some assistance, such fine words amount to nothing. Faith is reinforced by works, as in the case with Abraham. He believed God to the point of almost sacrificing his only son, Isaac. That singular action marked him out as a man of faith. Rahab, the harlot too, was commended for backing up her faith in the God of Israel with action.We must never be contented with simply proclaiming how great a faith we have. Rather, we must let the actions that are influenced by our faith speak the loudest. We must make ourselves part of God's answer to other people's prayers, by rendering practical assistance to them. If we love and obey God, we must never withhold anything He demands from us, no matter how precious. This is the only way to prove that we have faith.

Thought for the day: Faith without work is dead

Bible Reading in one Year: EZEKIEL 47 - 48