The Christian life is just summed up in Grace but the devil doesn’t want you to know that. The devil doesn’t want you to believe that. What the devil wants to do is to try to mix together grace and works. And when we try to mix together grace and works, then grace is not grace at all. The Bible says “And if by grace, it is no more work, otherwise work is no more work. And if by work is no more grace: otherwise grace is no more grace.” (Scripture text is incorrect) What He means is, like oil and water, grace and works don’t mix. Now some people think that they can explain it with a smug look. They say being saved is like trying to cross a stream in a rowboat. If you pull on one oar, which is works, you will just go around in a circle this way. If you pull on the other oar, which is grace, you will just go in a circle this way. But if you take both oars, you will just cross the stream. It is a wonderful illustration but it has a fatal flaw. The flaw is this; we are not going to heaven in a rowboat. (Laughter) We’re, we’re going to heaven by the grace of God. And the music tonight that we have sung about speaks of God’s amazing grace. Grace greater than all of our sin. His grace is greater.
Now having said that, we run into a problem. The problem is here in the book of James. And as we read the book of James, it almost seems as if there is a contradiction. James chapter 2 verse 14, James says this, “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith and hath not, and have not works? Can faith save him? Or if a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, depart in peace, be warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead,” D-e-a-d (spelled out) “being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, I will show thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” And then, here perhaps is the hardest part of all of this to understand, verse 21. “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 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. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rehab
the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
Now a careless reading of this Scripture would seem that a person is saved by grace and by works. But this is not true. Now, it would almost seem if that is not true, that the Bible contradicts itself. For example, put in your margin, and, if you have heard me preach on this before, your notes will already be in the margin. Romans chapter 4 verses 1 through 6. Here is what Paul said about Abraham. Now remember that
James says in verse 21, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works?” But now notice what Paul says. Romans chapter 4 verse 1, “What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justify, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works.”
Now I am telling you, a careless reading of these two verses would seem like there is a contradiction. Now, I want to say at the outset, so that there be no stutter, no stammer, no contradiction at all; we are saved by grace through faith and by nothing else. It is grace all the way. I have told you that grace, G-r-a-c-e (spelled out), is God’s riches at Christ’s expense. By the way, grace is exclusively a Christian doctrine. God has, the Lord Jesus has cornered the market on grace (amen). We have a monopoly on grace. It, it is exclusively a Christian doctrine. You cannot save yourself. Good works, a little or a lot, don’t save. They don’t help save. You could no more save yourself by good works than if you were drowning could reach up with your hand, take yourself by the hair, and lift yourself out of the water. Huh, huh, you cannot do it.
Martin Luther, the great reformer that led in the Protestant Reformation in 1517, had been studying the Scriptures, especially the book of Romans. He was in Rome on the Santa Scala, the holy stairs, and climbing those stairs on his knees, and saying his prayers, and doing penance for sin. But he had been studying the book of Romans and the Scripture burst through to him in Romans chapter 1 and verse 17. “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” And this truth burst aflame in his heart, and in his life and Martin Luther came to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and was born again.
Now, what is the answer to this conundrum, to this riddle, to this enigma, this seeming contradiction? Well, may I say that the Bible never contradicts itself? There is no contradiction between Brother Paul and Brother James. Sometimes men may seem to be in an argument but they are describing things from a different viewpoint. And what Paul and James are talking about are the heads, the head and tail of the same coin. Now, many times people don’t understand what it is all about. What Paul is taking about is faith before God. What James is talking about is faith before men. What Paul is talking about is a know so faith. And what James is talking about is a show so faith.
One time I had a, an experience to talk to the former president, George Herbert Walker Bush, sitting in his library, about the Lord Jesus Christ. And in that library was Dr. D. James Kennedy. He was sitting there with me, and Charles Stanley and Jerry Falwell. And you might call them the four spiritual laws. (Laughter) (Pastor chuckles) And, and we were sitting there talking (pastor clears throat) about faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And George Herbert Walker Bush was asked this question. What are you trusting to get you to heaven? And he said, “I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sin. I believe He is the Son of God. I believe He paid my sin debt with His blood. I believe that He was where, buried, raised again from dead. I put my faith and my trust in Him and I am trusting Him for my salvation.” And I was about to say A+ but then he said, “I also endeavor to live by the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule.” Well, James D. Kennedy you know, who is the guru for Evangelism Explosion, and who makes it implicitly and explicitly clear that salvation is by grace, had the temerity to say, “Sir, I want to tell you that keeping the Ten Commandments and living by the Sermon on the Mount and the Golden Rule has nothing to do with your salvation.” Mr. Bush said, “I disagree with you.” Now he is sitting with the four of us, sitting there. He said, “I disagree with you. Do you mean to tell me that a man can profess faith in God and then not change his life?” Mr. Kennedy said, “Well, of course it would change his life. If he has been saved, it will change his life. But he does not do those things in order to be saved but because he has been saved.” Mr. Bush said, “Well, if you put it that way, I agree with you.” (Laughter) Now I like that. First of all, I like the fact that he believed that if you believe, it is going to change your life. Now, Mr. Kennedy was talking more about like the Apostle Paul and Mr. Bush was talking more like James.
And there was no real contradiction, if you understood what both of them were talking about. You see Paul is talking about faith before God. James is speaking of faith before men. The key is in verse 18. Look at it. “A man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me” underscore that “show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.”
Now, Paul speaks of the root of salvation. James speaks of the fruit of salvation. Now the root is beneath the ground. The fruit is above the ground. God can see the root, only man can see the fruit. Paul speaks of the foundation of our faith. James
speaks of the building that is built on that foundation. Paul is speaking of that which is nward. James is speaking of that which is outward. Paul is speaking of the provision of our salvation. James is speaking of the proof of our salvation. Paul is talking about the means of our salvation. James is talking about the marks of our salvation. Paul is talking about a know so salvation. James is talking about a show so salvation.
Now we are going to be talking about a dead faith tonight. And the title of the message is “A Funeral for a Dead Faith.” All right, now James here is talking about faith that is dead faith. And let me tell three epitaphs that I would put on the tombstone of a dead faith.
Number one, this faith has words; well, let me put it this way, words without works are worthless. Write it down. Words without works are worthless. Go back now to verse 14. “What doth it profit a man though a man say” underscore that “though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?” Literally, the Greek reads can that faith save him? James is not saying that we are not saved by faith. But he is saying a, a faith that does not change your life, can that faith save him? Then he gives an illustration. “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 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 for the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” Words without works are worthless.
Now what James is saying is, what a man says is not necessarily a fact. Many years ago, I heard a story about Abraham Lincoln that I have never forgotten. It is said that Abraham Lincoln one time asked a little boy, if a dog has four legs and then you call his tail a leg, then how many would he have? The little boy said he would have five. Then Abraham Lincoln said no, he would just have four. No matter what you call his tail, it is still a tail. Huh, he only has four legs. No matter what a man says about his faith, if he doesn’t have real faith, it is not real faith. It is possible to have profession without possession. Repeating words never saves a soul. (Amen) Rattling off a little prayer will not save you. Words without works are worthless.
I was in a hospital one time visiting and praying with a patient. And my wife says, “Adrian, if you don’t want people to hear you, don’t say it. Because even when you whisper, it bounces off the restaurant walls.” (Laughter) And said, “People can hear you all over this restaurant.” And so I was praying with this lady and when I finished I heard a feeble voice from across the hall saying, “Come see me too.” I thought they were talking to a nurse. I went on and after awhile the pitiful cry came and said, “Come” and, and, and, and said, “Come see me too.” And I called back across the hall, I said, “Are you speaking to me?” She said, “Are you a minister?” I said, “Yes.”
She said, “Could you please come see me too?” I said, “Certainly.” I went over there and there was a pale lady whose, the blood was gone from her face. She had that sallow look and she was becoming jaundiced. And her white hair was spread out on the pillow and there were dark circles under her eyes. And if you have been around people who are dying, it was obvious she was very near to death. And she said, “I am dying and I am not ready to meet God. Can you help me?” I said, “Yes, yes I can.” And I shared the Lord Jesus Christ with her and told her the way of salvation. Then I said, “I want to lead you in a prayer. And I want you to pray these words after me.” And I prayed the sinner’s prayer. And she prayed dutifully and faithfully the prayer after me. And I opened my eyes and I expected to see a look of radiance and peace but she had a tortured look on her face. And she said, “But I don’t see how just saying that can do any good.” And I said, “Precious Lady, you are so right. Just saying that can’t do any good at all.” But I said, “If you will mean it, it will save your soul.” I said, “Let’s try it again. And this time don’t just say it, talk to God. And I led her this time in the sinner’s prayer and she prayed with deep emotion and said, “Oh God, I trust you, I really do with all of my heart. Save me.” And opened this, my eyes this time and looked at her, there was a radiance, and a peace, and a joy. And I said, “Did He do it?” She said, “Indeed, He did.” This is what James is talking about here. Words cannot save. Pious platitudes cannot get you to heaven. Words without works are worthless. I would put that on the tombstone as we bury a dead faith.
Here is something else I would put on there. Profession without possession is profitless. Now continue to read here beginning in verse 18. “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, I will show thee my faith by my, my works. Thou believest there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou not know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”
Now the devil professes God. Did you know that the devil professes faith in God? He does not posses the Lord Jesus Christ. He has never bowed the knee to Jesus Christ but the devil professes faith in God. At least that he believes that God exists. As a matter of fact, the devil has more faith than some theological professors I know. He is more orthodox than some. Let me give you some Scriptures. And I want you to put these down where the devil. I want you to see the devil’s profession of faith. For example in Matthew chapter 8 verses 28 and 29, Jesus was there ministering by the Sea of Galilee and here is what the Scripture says, “And when he was come to the other side to the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils,” that is demons “coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.” That is, they were terrorizing the neighborhood. “And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time?” The devil professes that Jesus is the Son of God. So you say, well a man makes a profession of faith, he is saved. Well, it all depends. The devil is certainly not saved. He professes that Jesus is the Son of God.
Let me give you another Scripture, Mark chapter 1 verses 23 and 24. “And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.” The devil believes that Jesus is the Son of God. He believes that He is the Holy One of God.
And then a third Scripture, Luke 4 verse 41, “The devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art the Christ the Son of God.” Sounds like he would get an “A” in seminary, in Systematic Theology. You are the Messiah, the Son of God. “And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.” That He was Messiah. So what does this tell us? It tells us that you can have profession without possession. Is that not correct? (Amen) That you can know the facts of the Gospel. The Bible, in, in the book of James says the devil believes and trembles. The word tremble here is the word that literally means to shutter. The word means literally to stand up straight. That is what it literally means. Like the hair stands up on the back of your neck when you are afraid. The devil trembles. Real faith does not cause you to shutter. It brings peace. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1.
You see the devil is very orthodox in many ways. Suppose the devil were to try to join Bellevue Baptist Church and we question him and we say, “Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God?” “Yes I do.” “Do you believe He is the Messiah?” “Yes I do.” “Do you believe He is holy?” “Yes I do.” “Do you believe He was born of a virgin?” “Yes I do.” “Do you believe He died on the cross?” “Yes I do.” “Do you believe He was raised from the dead?” “ Yes I do.” “ Will you work in the church?” I will be glad too. I will be a deacon if you will let me.” (Laughter) “I will be glad to fill the pulpit.” The Bible says Satan is transformed as an angel of light. And he could pass all of these tests but he is not born again. Devil, I have asked you a number of questions, let me ask you one more question. “Will you bow the knee to Jesus Christ and crown Him King of Kings and Lord of Lords?” “I will not. I will not.”
I am telling you, churches are filled with people who have gone through a little routine, who have gone through a little theological exercise. And they think because of their profession they have possession. But they have never bowed the knee to Jesus Christ and made Him Lord as we have sung tonight, (amen) King of Kings and Lord of Lords. They are going to miss heaven by some eighteen inches. They have it here but they don’t have it here. And if we have a funeral for a dead faith, I would put that on the tombstone. That profession without possession is profitless. What doth it profit a man?
Now here is the third thing. I would, I would say on that tombstone that form without force if fatal. Begin reading again in verse 20. “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 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. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.”
Now, a man without saving faith is still dead in his trespasses and sin. Now what is difference between dead faith and true faith? You see, a man with true faith, a Christian, is somebody who has the life of God in him. Now listen carefully so you won’t get confused. You are saved by grace alone but the grace that saves is never alone. You are saved by grace alone but the grace that saves is never alone. You are not saved by faith and works but you are saved by a faith that works, (amen) a faith that works. You are not saved by barren belief and a futile faith. You are saved by a faith that is transformational. You see, James is not saying that works save. But what he is saying is that real salvation produces works. Now just keep your Bibles open there, and put a bookmark there, and go to Ephesians chapter 2 verses 8, 9 and 10. And if you will get these verses correct, you will never get skewed. You will never get confused. “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God had before ordained that we should walk in them.”
Do you remember your high school English? Do you know what a preposition is? There are three prepositions here. If you will keep them straight, you will keep your theology straight. By the way, I shared this with President Bush. These three prepositions are by, through, and unto. Let’s say them, by, through, unto. (audience speaks the words twice) Say them one more time, by, through, and unto. You are saved by grace through faith unto good works. Got it? Say, got it. (Audience says got it) By grace, through faith, unto good works. And here, you see that is what James is saying. If you have real faith, it is going to be unto good works. You are not saved by good works. We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. We are not saved by good works. We are saved unto good works. Now James is a good teacher. And James gives two examples and one illustration. And with those two examples and the one illustration, we will close the message tonight and have the Lord’s Supper.
Now the first example that he gives is Abraham. Beginning in verse 21 again, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith worked, wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he is called the Friend of
God.”
Now, slow down and think with me. In Genesis chapter 15, put this down, verse 6, there the Bible records that Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness. That’s when he got saved. That’s when God said Abraham; I’ve put you in my book. You are righteous. Why? Because he believed God. He put his faith in the coming Messiah. He believed in God. The Bible says of Abraham, Abraham saw that Jesus was speaking and was glad.
Now thirty years later, are you listening? Thirty years later, thirty years after it was imputed unto him for righteousness, thirty years after God said you are saved; you are righteous, thirty years later, thirty years later he offered Isaac on Mount Moriah. That wasn’t when he got saved. That’s simply when he showed he was saved. His willingness to offer Isaac did not save him. It was not the means of his salvation. It was the mark of his salvation. It was not the root of his salvation. It was the fruit of his salvation. If you read this in the Amplified Bible, it says Abraham was shown by his works. Let me back up. Abraham was shown to be justified by his works. He was shown to be justified. That is, before men you could see. You couldn’t see what happened between Abraham and God when Abraham believed God. But you could certainly see, had you been there, what happened on Mount Moriah. And so that’s the first illustration. It wasn’t that Abraham was saved when he offered up Isaac. He had been saved for thirty years. But before men you could see his works, you could see what he was doing.
The other illustration is Rahab the harlot. Look if you will in verse 25 here. And “Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way.” This comes from Joshua chapter 2. Rahab was a harlot. She was a streetwalker. She became a saint. She was an enemy of God and she became a part of the lifeline of the Lord Jesus Christ. What is James saying? This woman had a life that was transformed. Talk is cheap. That is the reason I say, if your religion hasn’t changed your life, you ought to change your religion (amen). Rahab was not saved because she cleaned up her life. Just the opposite, she cleaned up her life because she was saved.
Now those are the two examples and then he gives an illustration. And here is the illustration, look at it. “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” Now what good is a body of truth without the life of the spirit? What can a corpse do? Now, I don’t want to frighten you (noise). Do my imitation of Elvis. (Laughter) (Applause) Now, (applause) I want to tell you something. In that position there is not spirit in me, I am dead. That’s it. I may have a nice body, which I do. (Laughter) And there I am, dead. No spirit. Now, here I am walking around. I can do all kinds of things. See this. I can do move, I can walk, I can move, and everything. Now I want to ask you a question. Why am I alive? Because I am walking around, no. I walk around because I am alive. Why does a man do what he does spiritually? In order to be saved? No, because he is saved. (Amen) What good is the body of truth without the spirit? Now look at the illustration again. He is saying here the work that a human body does doesn’t give it life, the work that a human body does reveals life. Without life the body cannot work. Therefore, the body without works is dead. And then let’s apply that spiritually. As “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
No corpse can work his way into life. Do you understand that? No corpse can work his way into life. He just can’t do it. He is dead. He has got to receive the life before he works. So the works are the root and not the fruit. And the works are outward; the faith is inward. The works demonstrate. And so James says you show me your faith without your works, I’ll show you my faith by my works. And words without works are worthless. Profession without possession is profitless. And faith without force is fatal. We are not saved by faith and works. We are saved by faith that works not just simply by professing words. You say, well I am saved because I know the plan of salvation. You are not saved by the plan of salvation. You are saved by the Man of Salvation, (amen) the Lord Jesus Christ. The devil knows the plan but he has never bowed the knee to the Man. Now I believe there are multitudes who are marching to hell who are theologically correct (noise) but have never, ever really trusted Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior.
Every road has two ditches. And the devil doesn’t care which side of the road he wrecks your car on. On the one side is the ditch of those who think they can work their way to heaven, that God is somehow making a list, checking it twice, like Santa Claus. And when we die, he is going to see if our good works outweigh our bad works. And so on the one hand there are those who try to be justified by works.
The other ditch is just as dangerous. There are those who say well since I am saved by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, I have an intellectual faith, I believe that Jesus died on the cross. I believe the facts of the Gospel. And so therefore, I just accept that intellectually, casually. But they never bow the knee to Jesus Christ. They never really trust Christ as personal Savior. Over here are those who are trying to work their way to heaven. They will never do it. Over here are those who never really have received Jesus Christ as Lord. They simply have a say so, salvation. But they don’t have a know so salvation. They never trusted the Lord Jesus Christ. Real salvation is salvation by grace through faith unto good works. You got that? (Amen) You understand it?
All right, if you do now, bow your head in prayer. (Noise) How many of you can say; Pastor Rogers, I have repented of my sin. I have trusted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and Lord. Now I don’t have just a mere profession. Christ has come into me. There is a transformation that has taken place and therefore (noise) it is evident by my life that I have been saved. Those who live around me know that I am changed. Those that I work with know that I am changed. They can see Jesus Christ in me. They may not agree with it. It may even irritate them, but they know that they know there has been a change in me. And I know that there has been a change in me. You may be a moral person before you got saved but salvation will make a bad man good and a good man better. It will change you. It will change you. How many will say; Pastor Rogers, I don’t just have religion; I have reality. I don’t have a dead faith; I have a living, transformational faith. And when I lift my hand in a moment, I am not doing it boastfully, but I doing it thankfully. And I bless the God who has saved me by His grace and transformed my life. If you have been changed by the grace of God and you
believe that you have a living, vital faith, would you give God the glory and lift your hand? Hold it up. Thank you now put your hand down.
If tonight, you would say; Pastor Rogers, the message has caused me to think, (noise) and I am not really certain that I have more than a, (noise) an intellectual faith, maybe a dead faith. I’ve, I have never had a transformational faith. I have never really received salvation because it has never showed in my life. Though I may be a baptized member of this church or some other church, or maybe not, but I don’t have that full assurance and I want it. I want to know that I know that I know that I am saved. And Pastor Rogers, (noise) in the prayer that you are about to pray, would you remember me in prayer? I am going to pray a prayer in just a moment (noise) for those of you who are concerned about your soul. And I am not going to point you out, or embarrass you in any way whatever, will not call your name, nobody is going to come to you. This is between you, me, and the Lord. But if you are honestly, earnestly concerned about your soul, so am I, and I want to pray for you and pray with you about it. And just pray that God would open your heart and mind that you might get it eternally settled.
You might say; Pastor Rogers, if a person can know that they are saved, I want to know it. I really do. I wouldn’t be here tonight if I didn’t really want to know it. So, I wish you would pray for me. While heads are bowed and eyes are closed, this is between you, me, and the Lord. Would you just slip up your hand and say yes, pray for me. Yes. Yes. Others. Hold it up high. Don’t be embarrassed to do it. I am looking around. Pray for me. I want to know that I am saved. I am looking way back in the back and I can see under the balcony. Slip up your hand if you, if you want me to pray for you back there. Heads are bowed and eyes are closed, down here in the front, at the sides, I am looking. God bless you. Are there others? Pray for me Pastor Rogers, I want to know, I really want to know that I am saved. Slip up your hand, hold it up high, and then take it down when I say to. Anyone else? Slip it up.
“Father God, if there hands that I have not seen, surely You have seen them. Lord, I thank You for these who have lifted their hand. And Lord, I am aware tonight that there are those who don’t have assurance and are even intimidated to lift their hand. But Father, I pray tonight, I pray in the name of Jesus for each hand, each person that that hand represents, that tonight they might humbly and sweetly with a living faith trust in the Living Lord and be saved and receive life, Oh my God. Lord God we can’t save anybody, and preaching cannot save anyone, and church membership doesn’t save. Lord, only You can save. And Lord, I pray tonight that You would give to these a living faith, not a dead faith. And Father that they might get it settled tonight.”
Precious friend if you lifted your hand for prayer, or even if you didn’t but you know that you should have, would you pray this kind of a prayer? “Dear God, I am a sinner and I am lost and I need to be saved. Jesus, You died to save me. You promised to save me if I would trust You. I do trust You now, right now like a child. Come into my heart. Forgive my sin and save me. Thank You that You paid for my sin with Your shed blood on the cross. I believe it and I receive it. Thank You Jesus. Amen and amen.”
