James 1:14-17– What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
our faith toward God and repentance from dead works are elementary principles of the doctrine of Christ(Heb 6:1). Faith in Christ is the Living faith because in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form (Colossians 2:9). I can actually bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and even give my body to be burned, for selfish reasons and not because I love the Lord or have faith toward God(1cor13:13). Without the righteousness imputed on us because of the blood of Jesus, there is nothing good in us or in our works(Heb 9:14). Good works are propelled by a living faith in Christ and are works done with joy, not out of compulsion, or necessity, or for the fear of punishment. Dead works are works that appear good externally like doing mission work, paying tithe, leading prayers, singing a solo, leading worship, bible study but for a corrupt motive or done for the wrong reason. Fulfilling these religious duties without love and loyalty to Jesus end up as filthy garments in God’s eyes(Isaiah 64:6)
PRAYER:
Lord you are my righteousness, help me not to think I could seek to please you through my assigned roles and duties in the ministry. Teach me to work the good works of Him who has called me. That as a co-heir with Christ, I will serve you with gladness and submit to you, knowing that my faith is futile unless it produces good works.
Amen