10/04/2020
We are not meant to take pride in our faith, or works, but are to remain humbled by them, knowing full well that it is only by God’s love, and grace, that we have come know Jesus, and as a result of His sacrifice can stand in the Father’s presence. No man, by his own doing, can earn an audience with God in Heaven lest He has been called in faith, and shown works, through Jesus Christ.
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 ESV
In this verse John was quoting Jesus as He told us that He is the only way to God, and later, Paul expounded on this further when he wrote to the Ephesians, telling them very directly that there is no way for them to earn eternity with God except by faith, and Jesus Christ... and not by works of their own doing...
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV
So how is it then that James can say faith is dead without works? Is he saying that we must work to save ourselves? On the contrary, Jesus preached, taught, and performed many miracles, but none of these would have been of any use if not for the truth in one passage of scripture...
“So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.”
John 5:19 ESV
God presided over the works of Jesus, and made them representative of the faith that was contained in Him as the Christ. Perhaps Jesus could have taught, preached, and done some amazing things, but without God’s authority, and by doing His pleasure, and will, they would have been of little use... just earthly shadows of a man called Jesus.
“For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”
James 2:26 ESV
It is the same for us; the things we do of our own accord mean nothing, because just as we can’t create true faith within ourselves, neither can we do Godly works that could possibly be representative of a true faith. Righteous works are only the outward manifestation of an internal belief; they bubble up from our faith in God and Jesus Christ, and spring from the fact that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit abide in us... yes, they are gifts to us.
So how can we possibly take pride in gifts that are not of our own doing? We should be humbled by them, and thankful for them, but never prideful in them; nor should we present them as our own accomplishments. Our faith is ingrained in us, and was not created by us, so it is that the true works we do gush forth from our faith, and cannot be contained... they are manifestations of that faith. In this way they are as much from God as the seed of faith itself, neither being something which we have the right to boast of.
“So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.””
John 8:28-29 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the gifts you give us, and especially the seed of faith that has been planted in us. Thank you for the river of works that flows from us, and your will that directs its course. Help us to remain humble Lord, and give you the glory for not only our faith, but every good work that we do as a result of your love for us, and our irresistible need to serve you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who leads us to faith, and sparks in us the desire to do your will, by the works we undertake. Great are you Lord as you increase us in faith, and call us to answer your will in greater manifestations of it in our everyday lives. Praised be your name Father, for loving us, and sending your Son Jesus to redeem us, and bring us back into your arms. Strengthen us Lord, letting our faith be pleasing to you, and our works be of value in accomplishing the needs of your kingdom. Call us home at the end our days Lord, and let the blood of Jesus have purified us, made us Holy, and shown us worthy of being with you forevermore.
Rich Forbes