“You see that a person is considered righteous BY WHAT THEY DO AND NOT BY FAITH ALONE.” (Jam. 2:24) [We KNOW that we are saved by God’s grace through our faith:] “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD– not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9) [We are saved by faith alone, faith that comes because of the grace God has given us. James says we cannot be considered ‘RIGHTEOUS’ without DOING SOMETHING! God has a purpose for our lives and we must be obedient to our Abba Father and be about fulfilling that purpose!] “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” BUT DOES NOTHING ABOUT THEIR PHYSICAL NEEDS, what good is it? In the same way, FAITH BY ITSELF, IF IT IS NOT ACCOMPANIED BY ACTION, IS DEAD.” (Jam. 2:15-17) [James is speaking of works done in obedience to the gospel, and as the suitable and essential things and the ‘fruits’ of our faith in our complete believing in Jesus , He said!] “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.“ (Matt. 5:42) [This is just one of many directions from the Lord for us to ‘DO’ for one another to fulfill our righteousness!] “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may LIVE A LIFE WORTHY OF THE LORD and please him in every way: BEARING FRUIT IN EVERY GOOD WORK, growing in the knowledge of God…” (Col. 1:9-10) [This is what we should be striving for because good WORDS will not do without good WORKS. We must flourish in good works, and in every good work: not in just the easy things which are more stress-free, and suitable, and safe, but in all that we are led to do. There must be a uniform and even regard to all of the will of God. And the more fruitful we are in good works the more we shall increase in the knowledge of God!] “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. DO WHAT IT SAYS. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and CONTINUES IN IT–not forgetting what they have heard, but DOING IT–they will be blessed in what they do.” (Jam. 1:22-25)
Be blessed as you praise The Lord, knowing that FAITH BY ITSELF, IF IT IS NOT ACCOMPANIED BY ACTION, IS DEAD!
-Bill Stockham
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