Faith Is An Action Word

Romans 3:22-24

Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

We are all sinners, but praise be to God! The righteousness, the truth we all need is found in faith in Jesus Christ! So we can have hope. We can overcome our sense problem.

Let’s read now in Hebrews 4:12.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

We have a loving God that has given us the instruments for life, but do we have faith in his word and the actions that must correspond actions?

God has given us the instruments for living this life, but do we trust those instruments? Do we have faith in them? The book of James is a fantastic book of the Bible and it clears up the misconception between faith and works. I’m sure you have all heard it said I am saved by faith and faith alone. I can’t help the person broken down on the side of the road because I am saved by faith and faith alone. If I did something good I would be trying to work my way to heaven. I can’t be baptized? Why? I’m saved by faith alone.

Of course you also have those that feel they must work their way to heaven. I’ll help them, but I don’t have to like it. Because I must help them is the only reason I’m doing it. They feel that the only way to be justified before God is by their works, but they don’t have faith. We see this attitude clearly demonstrated among the religious leaders during the time of Christ. The reality is that faith is an action word. Let’s read a long passage here, but listen closely to it because it is the key to understanding this battle between faith and works.

James 2:14-26

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.