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NASB | James 2:14 ¶ What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | James 2:14 ¶ What is the benefit, my fellow believers, if someone claims to have faith but has no [good] works [as evidence]? Can that [kind of] faith save him? [No, a mere claim of faith is not sufficient--genuine faith produces good works.] |
Subject: What is Faith Without Works - Part 2 |
Bible Note: ---(YLT) John 14:12 "Verily, verily, I say to you, he who is believing in me, the works that I do -- that one also shall do, and greater than these he shall do, because I go on to my Father;" --- What works did Jesus do? He healed, preached, and fed the hungry. Do we do these works? Do we do works greater than these? According to Christ we should. Could these be the works James is referring to? Just a thought. ---(YLT) Rom 3:20 wherefore by works of law shall no flesh be declared righteous before Him, for through law is a knowledge of sin. 21 And now apart from law hath the righteousness of God been manifested, testified to by the law and the prophets, 22 and the righteousness of God [is] through the faith of Jesus Christ to all, and upon all those believing, -- for there is no difference,..... 27 Where then [is] the boasting? it was excluded; by what law? of works? no, but by a law of faith: 28 therefore do we reckon a man to be declared righteous by faith, apart from works of law.--- Again, we are not saved by works, but they are a natural out pouring of our true faith. So also we cannot boast in what works we do, for it is not we that accomplish such things, but it is Christ in us. He has made us new so that we can do works for Him. ---YLT Rom 11:6 and if by grace, no more of works, otherwise the grace becometh no more grace; and if of works, it is no more grace, otherwise the work is no more work.--- If by works then grace is not grace!! ---YLT Ga 3:2 this only do I wish to learn from you -- by works of law the Spirit did ye receive, or by the hearing of faith?--- Which is it? By works or faith that you received the Spirit? ---YLT Eph 2:8 for by grace ye are having been saved, through faith, and this not of you -- of God the gift, 9 not of works, that no one may boast; 10 for of Him we are workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works --- Another clear example. We are His workmanship. We are created by Him and in Him. Why?? To good works. We are created in Christ with a purpose, a purpose to work for the kingdom of our Lord!! --- YLT Titus 1:16 God they profess to know, and in the works they deny [Him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work disapproved. --- Titus 1:16 is a clear example of the deceptive faith. They say they know God but by their works they deny Him!! How many populate our churches today that fit this very description? Are you one of them? --- YLT Jas 2:26 for as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also the faith apart from the works is dead. --- Now back to where we started. Just as a body without a spirit is dead so is faith without works! Do you see the parallel? If you don't have works wrought by God in your life then your faith is useless, just as a dead body is useless. It will accomplish nothing!! Now I ask again, what works are we performing? Are they the works of Jesus? Are they "greater works than this" because he "went to be with the father"? Here is the ministry of Jesus. He healed. He preached (gospel of salvation through Him alone). He fed the hungry. We could go into further detail but that mostly covers His ministry. Are we doing these and greater works? Is our faith dead or alive? Prayer - Dear Lord, I submit my will to you. Like clay in the hands of a potter, I ask You, in Jesus name, to mold me into a vessel of usefulness for your kingdom. Create in me a clean heart and grant me a spirit of willingness to sustain me when times are tough. In Jesus' name. Amen! His slave, Aristarchus |