03/02/10

Faith and Works

James 2:17 - Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.


We as Christians know that we are saved by faith and not by works. All the works that we do will not be sufficient to save us. Does that mean we should not work?

The works which does not save us are those which are connected to righteousness. When we do any work to show or prove we are righteous are as good as rags. It is not that one should not do them but what the Bible tells us is that one should not be proud of them, or take credit for them. They are done because they are needed to be done by doing them we do not become great. But by not doing them we become less children of God. Our God is a righteous God and to be His children we too need to be righteous, even knowing that we cannot achieve true righteousness we still do what is expected of us by the Lord.

The works which James is explaining to us is the works connected with faith.

For example if you are a person unable to walk because of no strength in your legs, and the Lord tells you get up and walk He has healed you. Now if you do not make an attempt to get up and walk it clearly means that you do not believe. Work connected with faith just stand to confirm our faith and show that it is alive in us.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, You are a righteous God and the Heavens are founded on your righteousness. Your ways are perfect and good. It is the disbelief in your perfect ways which bought man to sin. It is by faith that we remove this element of disbelieve. Help us Lord not to say that we have faith but confirm this faith in our doings. Our works are our hands which we lift up to you. It is by your strength alone that we are able to do anything. Strengthen us and enlighten us...

We make this prayer in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]

Isaiah 64:6
6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Jobs 34:24-25
24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.
25 Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.

Psalms 17:4-5
4 Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
5 Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others.
(All rights are with God)