What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
James 2:14, 26
Just as a glove lies empty and motionless, until the hand slips into it, so is faith, without works. Where does faith come from, and what is the force that connects faith and works?
The definition of faith is "things hoped for that are yet unseen"... 1 Corinthians 13 closes with,
"Now these three remain: Faith, Hope, & Love...the greatest of these is Love."
Isn't love, practically applied like the Balm of Gilead, the force that links faith and works?
Many believe...have faith...but have no love; they have grown cold, their prayers centering on themselves, concerned with looking out for #1....beloved, this is the way of the world, not the Narrow Way ! Jesus said the sum of all that is contained in the Law & the Prophets is to Love the Lord your God with all you heart, soul, mind, and strength, -and love your neighbor as yourself... the link between faith and works. Perhaps that money you were saving for another big screen TV, expensive vacation, or other stuff you already have would be much more of a blessing to the widow or single mom, or someone you know who lost their job who has been praying that finances would come, and you could be the source? Or bringing a family meals when someone is ill, or perhaps they have no food but are too proud to tell anyone? We are surrounded by opportunities to put faith into action, and the greatest beneficiary is the doer.
This is another aspect of Jesus saying," Freely you have received, now freely give."
Can you hear Him?
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
James 2:14, 26
Just as a glove lies empty and motionless, until the hand slips into it, so is faith, without works. Where does faith come from, and what is the force that connects faith and works?
The definition of faith is "things hoped for that are yet unseen"... 1 Corinthians 13 closes with,
"Now these three remain: Faith, Hope, & Love...the greatest of these is Love."
Isn't love, practically applied like the Balm of Gilead, the force that links faith and works?
Many believe...have faith...but have no love; they have grown cold, their prayers centering on themselves, concerned with looking out for #1....beloved, this is the way of the world, not the Narrow Way ! Jesus said the sum of all that is contained in the Law & the Prophets is to Love the Lord your God with all you heart, soul, mind, and strength, -and love your neighbor as yourself... the link between faith and works. Perhaps that money you were saving for another big screen TV, expensive vacation, or other stuff you already have would be much more of a blessing to the widow or single mom, or someone you know who lost their job who has been praying that finances would come, and you could be the source? Or bringing a family meals when someone is ill, or perhaps they have no food but are too proud to tell anyone? We are surrounded by opportunities to put faith into action, and the greatest beneficiary is the doer.
This is another aspect of Jesus saying," Freely you have received, now freely give."
Can you hear Him?
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