Stan and I had again gathered at the Twelve Baskets Cafe for breakfast and conversation about out faith. Between bites of the blueberry pancakes Stan was enjoying, he asked, “Do you remember how we’ve talked about that it’s not possible for people to work their way to heaven?”
“I sure do,” I responded. “Salvation is a matter of God’s grace and mercy, not anything we can earn by doing stuff.”
“Right,” Stan agreed. “The only thing we can do that has any impact on our salvation is to accept God’s free and gracious gift.”
“But,” I asked, “aren’t works supposed to have some sort of role with our faith?”
“Absolutely,” Stan exclaimed. “The Book of James covers this real well about faith without works being dead or of no use, but it seems that James made an important distinction.”
“What kind of distinction?”
“People actually having faith, versus just saying they have faith.”
“You mean, like if a person actually has faith there will be works that flow from that person through the leading of the Holy Spirit, but if people merely say they have faith and there are no works that reflect faith, it’s likely there’s no actual faith?”
“I’d say that’s a pretty good summary,” Stan replied with a smile. “Saying words is one thing; action is another!”
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Bible verses to consider:
What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? James 2:14.
For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. James 2:26.
. . . work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus and His finished work on the cross as the way to life with you, the life that begins here and will continue forever. Even though I know I will spend eternity in your presence because I have accepted your provision by faith, I confess that too often while I remain on this side of eternity, my faith doesn’t have works the way you intend. Please forgive that foolish way of living the new life you’ve given me to live for you and your kingdom. Help me follow every step of your lead in actually doing what you have for me to do as reflecting my faith. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you come to faith in God and know you have life with Him, the life that begins here and will continue forever? If no, why is that your choice? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with works that reflect your faith? If you sense the desire for change with any of this, how is that change going to occur? Is that what you truly want? Why or why not?
The need: Since God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8), what does He know you need, not only to have authentic faith, but what you need to have works that reflect your faith? Spend time studying God’s word, praying, reflecting, and journaling to see what God knows you need. He will show you!
Forward: Do you know others who would or could benefit from this devotional? If so, why not forward it and open them to be part of the conversation between Stan and S. Tory Teller?