Faith Proves Itself By Works

[Walter and Deborah]

Tuesday 3-21-23 3rd. Day Of The Weekly Cycle Adar 28, 5783 91st. Winter Day

James 2

Faith Removes Discrimination

1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;

3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

Faith Proves Itself By Works

14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 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.

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Love, Walter and Debbie

[farouk]

Similarly, Paul says in Ephesians 2.10: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

[Mr. M]

1 Peter 1:6-9 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

[Tristen]

I somewhat disagree with the statement "Faith Proves Itself By Works". Framing the issue this way gives the false impression that we should be trying to prove our faith by pursuing works. I don't think that is James' point.

The point of this passage is that a sincere faith will result in, or outwardly manifest through, good works. Good works are the expression of a living faith. If we claim to have faith, but there is no change, or evidence of repentance, in our life, then our faith is dead, insincere, not saving. Simply claiming to have faith in Jesus is not sufficient to save us - as "Even the demons believe" (James 2:19). A deeper commitment is required than simply a self-declared, surface faith. Living, saving faith will change a person from the inside, out. Our faith will not just be evident in our claim to be a Christian, but in our outward expression - in how we live our lives before God - in how we reflect His nature by love, and grace - in how we manifest "the fruit of the Spirit".

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law

 

[Wayne222]

Faith without works means to have head knowledge only. It's a faith in a fact but not a trust in the death of Christ for our sins. To have faith in the Lord means to trust him as our God and father. To believe and trust he sent his only son to die and bear our sins. Works will come from such a faith. Works don't come from just head knowledge. 

[FJK]

To me the works of faith mean doing the things I can't do without justifying the reasons I can't, simply knowing I'm able to take actions that are seemingly impossible because I know there are invisible forces that are present that are as real as the visible ones I can see.

 

When Jesus fed the multitudes, he had this faith and he performed miracles, he didn't look at the details of his circumstances and say "I can;t do this because I don't have enough", he just did it in perfect faith and showed us how faith gives us the power to do what is necessary.

Jesus told us we can do the things he did, and even greater things through faith (not through magic).  Are we doing them as we live out daily lives?

[AnOrangeCat]

32 minutes ago, FJK said:

To me the works of faith mean doing the things I can't do without justifying the reasons I can't, simply knowing I'm able to take actions that are seemingly impossible because I know there are invisible forces that are present that are as real as the visible ones I can see.

I hold a similar view, and at least to my way of thinking it's this seemingly impossible angle, the part that seems nonsensical to the world, that makes it faith. God hasn't appeared to us in the flesh accompanied by angels and flashes of lightning. If He ever had then our belief would stem from knowledge, not faith. It's the fact that we don't have 100% physical certainty, that our circumstances tell us to do our own thing, that we can act in faith.

[enoob57]

Faith is an exacting reality... it is seen in the works of this place but doesn't attach to those works- as it knows God is not keeping the things of this world or even allowing the memory of such in the eternal state... basically it is a pure and undefiled substance that God will transfer into the eternal keeping of God by by redeemed s/Spirit...

The reason it is so difficult to follow is that we cannot use the day to day things or even our own sensual abilities as a guide only God's Word... It is why God has spoken to us as such:
Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
[1] Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

and again
1 John 3:2 (KJV)
[2] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
[3] And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

We are actually, because of our faith, held in a tension of being:
1 Corinthians 2:9 (KJV)
[9] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
[10] But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

This produce of the Spirit 'IS' this faith and is produced by God's Word -a foundation sure because God cannot lie... yet it is in total disconnect to this we have began in and that which our senses are fixed upon...
John 20:26 (KJV)
[26] And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
[27] Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
[28] And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
[29] Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Our faith is willing to give up any part of this we have began in, even that of our own flesh... knowing it isn't being kept anyway and our lives are in a place where our bodies or senses cannot perceive...
Colossians 3:1 (KJV)
[3:1] If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
[2] Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
[3] For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

This last obedience we cannot find aid with this world or our bodies of flesh... but with the new birth alone 'in s/Spirit' we find solace and obedience to God... as it is written:
Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)
[6] But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

My prayer is that all of my family here find this wonderful substance of faith and the freedom that comes from it though His Word:
John 8:31 (KJV)
[31] Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
[32] And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

and again:
John 17:17 (KJV)
[17] Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

and yet again:
Romans 10:17 (KJV)
[17] So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

I cannot believe this treasure God has given to us 'His Word' and the vast power it has to translate us from that which is being destroyed and forgotten to that which shall never end... God Bless...

[Mr. M]

13 hours ago, Walter and Deborah said:

4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

 

13 hours ago, Walter and Deborah said:

9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

13 hours ago, Walter and Deborah said:

Faith Removes Discrimination

I would have to disagree with this statement. 

Faith does not remove discrimination, we must

overcome our natural tendency to show favoritism

in serving the Lord by faith, and not iniquity(lawlessness).

If someone has been tasked with distributing charitable 

donations, and they do so with "respect of persons", 

the Lord cannot be glorified by our works.

Acts 6:1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying,

there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because

their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

Hellenists-Greek speaking Jews.

[farouk]

On 3/21/2023 at 8:46 PM, Mr. M said:

1 Peter 1:6-9 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

This is a great passage. I do appreciate how a passage such as this - learned so long ago - can come back and encourage, over and over......