Focal Passage: James 2:14-26
If we stop and think about it, the relationship between faith and works is foundational to our everyday lives. Because you believe that your favorite chair is sturdy, you sit down in it to have your morning coffee.
You believe that the door you’re walking into will open, so you turn the knob and pull. Belief is always displayed by action.
Scripture tells us that our saving faith must be accompanied by works as well.
Now, we know that salvation is by faith alone, and we are not justified by works.
We rest in the finished work of Jesus to make us righteous before God. However, the natural response to receiving such a salvation is to act on our faith.
When we believe God is who He says He is, the natural response is obedience.
James tells us that merely saying we believe in God is not enough.
He warns that even the demons believe. The difference between real faith and a mere statement of belief is submission to God and obedience to Him.
Scripture reminds us of two of our spiritual ancestors whose faith was exhibited by their works. Abraham and Rahab both believed God in a way that caused them to risk everything to obey Him.
They did not just merely agree with God in their minds or with their words. They trusted God’s character and the response to their faith was action.
Saving faith is always demonstrated by works.
A profession of belief in God that is not accompanied by obedience to Him is an empty, dead faith. Genuine faith in God causes a godly person to act accordingly.
As a result of the great salvation we have been given by God in Christ, we are moved to action.
We seek to obey God and His Word, and we submit our lives to the Lordship of Jesus. Because God is exactly who He says He is, we put our faith in Him and demonstrate with our lives our love for Him!