“We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone.” ― Martin Luther Wow. That is the single best statement I have ever seen that didnt come from the Bible itself. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law (Rom. 3:28), Even so faith, if it hath not deeds, is dead, being alone (Jam. 2:17), and Ye see then how that by deeds a man is shown just, and not by faith only (Jam. 2:24). James was dealing with people who were perverting what Paul had said, and were claiming that a mere profession of belief was sufficient to prove they were servants of God, but yet in their deeds didnt behave as such. And he said to them that faith and deeds are the same thing - faith produces good deeds, and so any faith which does not produce good deeds, is actually not faith at all: Seest thou how faith was working with his deeds, and by deeds was his faith completed (Jam. 2:22)? Jesus Christ is alive, and when he dwells in us, the change is real and visible - not figurative and imaginary. If we do not do his deeds, then we have made him of no effect, as if he were dead and not alive, because we are not saved from our sins, and not walking in newness of life, free from the power of the prince of this world. We must deny ourselves our lazy whims, and let Him work His perfect work in us, but how can he if we do not let him? See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven (Heb. 12:25) and The just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him (Heb. 10:38). We cannot choose God, but we can choose to refuse him. His gift is free, but it can be thrown away.While it is not on us to earn our own way, if we refuse him his perfect work in us, and think that faith is a thing that can be in word and mental belief only, then we will surely not enter in at the strait gate. All we will ever do for God, and every good work we will ever do, will be Christ working in us, but every evil work we ever do will be our own deeds, made of a choice to refuse him his perfect work. Therefore, we cannot choose God, and it is only by his choice that we are given hope, but yet his grace is not irresistible, for then it would not be gracious at all, but rather forcefulness. Faith is a real thing in the heart, and the deeds that flow from that heart. Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man (Matt. 15:17-18). Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure (Phil. 2:13). Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds (Heb. 12:1-3). May the trembling respect for Gods justice, and the awe of Gods love rest in all of yours and my hearts always, through the spirit of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Amen.
Posted on: Fri, 18 Apr 2014 04:04:44 +0000
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