Faith or Works.

James 2;17 -26

     17) Even so faith, if it hath not work, is dead, being alone.

     18) Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: Shew me they works, and I will shew thee my faith by my work.

     19) Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

     20) But wilt thou know, O vain man that faith without works is dead?

     21) Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac upon the altar?

     22) Seest thou how faith wrought with works, and by works was faith made perfect?

     23) And by scripture was fulfilled which saith Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

     24) Ye see them now that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

     25) Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and sent them out another way?

     26) for as the body without the spirit is dead, so is faith with out works is dead also.

     Frist let us understand the meaning of the two works, faith is the unquestioning belief in something. Work means bodily or mental effort exerted to do or make something.

     What we learn from James here is that we all do works, but we have to have Faith of Jesus to want to do the works for God. Sure you see people who do things for God to look good in other people eyes, but its the life long doing of works that really show your works are for God. For if we don't have faith in the things we are doing, we won't last doing them. Plus the work won't hold up for God because the effort was low. Faith is started when we accept Christ Jesus in to our heart. The work we do helps that faith grow in us, so soon the lifestyle we had starts to change for God, we start to trust, and have more faith in what we are learning by reading the bible, and by the works we are doing or have finished.

     The person who believe in God and just does work to prove him, or her self, will not change his, or her lifestyle. Won't really want to do the works for God. For in James 2:19 it tells us even the devils believe in God. I am telling you there will be a time God wants you to do something that will test your faith in Him, as Abraham was tested, each od the apostles were test the day Jesus was tried and died on the cross. They did many great works when Jesus was alive. Then when He was gone, all those work didn't mean really help them believe. It was the appearance of Jesus and Him telling them to wait for the Holy Ghost to come to them. That is the sign of faith. Doing something that you really believe is going to happen, is happing, or has happen. Once the holy Spirit did come to them, it help increase their faith, and works.

If you have any questions or need to talk, please contact me at:

cell/ 231 420 1112

reverenddale-merchant@yahoo.com

P.O.Box 35

Wolverine, MI 49799

God Bless

Rev. Dale Merchant