May 14
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JAMES 2
18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. – James 2:18-26
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JAMES 2 JUSTIFIED BY WORKS AND NOT BY FAITH ALONE
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
As you hold your faith in Jesus, the glorious Savior, you ought to walk in love
When someone says that they believe in the Lord but isn’t loving, it is a lie
How can you prove your love to someone if there is no involvement?
Will the other person truly experience your love without commitment?
True faith is always accompanied by thoughtful and sincere compassion
Saying you have faith is not good enough to prove your faithful dedication.
Just as Abraham proved his faith to God by offering his son Isaac on the altar
Believers are expected to manifest their faith through works of kindness
To declare one’s faith without acting on it is purely lip service
The Lord desires our praise and God wants only true worshippers
If you claim you have faith, let it be justified by actions as well
Otherwise, your claims are insubstantial to qualify as faith that saves.
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REFLECTION
• Can faith without works be considered faith at all? Why or why not?
• Who are other biblical characters who manifested their faith aside from Abraham and Rahab as mentioned here?
• Why do you think works is important to accompany faith?