Salvation is a two edged sword, Grace/faith and works of obedience. Ep 2:8-9 says we are saved by grace and not of your works. Ephesians is speaking of the works of one's self righteousness. James is speaking the works of obedience.
We may not be perfect when He finds us but it does not mean we should not try to strive for perfection. We strive for perfection or holiness as we obey His Word/commandments and He is our righteousness. As we obey, He is the one who gives us the grace and ability to obey.
And when we do stumble, we do have a mediator as we continue to confess our sins. When we fall, we shake the dust and continue to move forward not looking back.
James 2:17-18 (AMP) So also faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead).18But someone will say [to you then], You [say you] have faith, and I have [good] works. Now you show me your [alleged] faith apart from any [good] works [if you can], and I by [good] works [of obedience] will show you my faith.
Faith is not merely a state of mind or concept. Faith is living action in one's life bearing good fruits of obedience in holiness evident of what we truly believe.
James 2:22You see that [his] faith was cooperating with his works, and [his] faith was completed and reached its supreme expression [when he implemented it] by [good] works.
As verse 22 states, our faith is completed and reaches it supreme expression by good works of obedience. Faith is not confessing Jesus as Savior and then continuing in the old life. We must understand what it means to be REBORN.
For example, if God has called someone to missions and if that person decides to do it at their own time when their kids are grown up or after their careers then this is not works of obedience but works of self righteousness. Works of obedience goes when God tells you to go. But if the person flatly rejects the calling, that person is rejecting God and will eventually be deluded into a form of religion. We must make the choice in our hearts to be willing to go when He tells us to go as any good soldier and to go anywhere we are called to go.
I hear so many people saying people need faith or they have faith but many of them do not do what they know they need to do. If they do not do what they need to do as their spirit calls them to do then how are they really continuing in faith?
Matthew 23:3 (AMP) So observe and practice all they tell you; but do not do what they do, for they preach, but do not practice.
Most Christians know what is right deep in their spirits but complying to the commandments of God written in their hearts seems to be an obstacle to many. Remember, it is a daily choice whether you really exercise your faith walking on the narrow path or walking on the wide road on the path of deluding yourselves.
May you all continue in your faith with your eyes on Jesus Christ. I SPEAK ENDURING FAITH OVER YOUR LIVES. God Bless
Fire of God
Feb 6 2012
No comments:
Post a Comment