Scripture:
James 2:26 “For just as the body dead without breath so also faith is dead without works”
Observation:
James is addressing the issue on true vs counterfeit faith. This chapter should be a call to do, but that doing is not good works, it is examining. We must examine our lives, test ourselves, is my faith true faith? Am I becoming any more like Christ? If faith is the body and breath is the works, we can’t tell the dead body to try harder to breathe. We must place all of our hope in the one that can make a dead body alive. In the one that can place breathe back into a dead corpse.
Application:
We are not saved by faith + works, we are saved by faith in Christ alone. James wants us to examine ourselves, be real and honest with yourself. Forget what works you did or didn’t do over the weekend, while there is physical breathe in your lungs Christ is able to make you alive spiritually.
When we pursue good works we don’t pursue them so we can gain eternal security, we pursue works because we want others to see the one, and only one, who can give us eternal security.
Matthew 5:16 says “Let your light shine before men, that. they may see your good works, and. glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
That is why we pursue good works. Make Jesus known in your life this week.
Prayer:
Lord thank you for your grace and mercy. Father help us rest on the promise that you whole began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it. May we rest in that. May we show others, through our good works, the promise of your son as a free gift!
Amen.