Tag: believe God
Faith Demonstrated by Works
Scripture reading for November 3: James 2
“But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is One; you do well. Even the demons believe–and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”–and he was called a friend of God.” James 2:18-23
In today’s culture, believing God and having faith is often a nebulous concept that is defined by feelings or confession. Feelings depend on our circumstances and can often be misleading. It is easy to confess that we believe in God and go on living for ourself. On the other hand, some in our culture are strong proponents of works and are into working to please God. From James’ letter to the church, we see that this tension between faith and works was something that God wanted to address. James taught that true faith would always produce works that demonstrated our beliefs. Our works complete our faith! Faith without corresponding works is dead faith.
James pointed to Abraham, father of the Jews, as an example of faith. Abraham believed God’s promise of descendants that would be as numerous as stars in the sky. After giving Abraham a son in his old age, God then tested his faith in a most unusual way. God asked Abraham to take his son Isaac and offer him to God as a sacrifice. Abraham did as God had asked, demonstrating that he believed that God would fulfill His promise, although it looked like sacrificing his only son would destroy the promise. God was pleased with Abraham’s faith, demonstrated by his obedience. Abraham was credited with righteousness by God through faith and obtained the blessing of being a friend of God.
If God tested your faith in His ability to do what He promises, would your faith be supported by obedient actions and works? How do you show your faith through your works in your current life in this culture? Could God call you His ‘friend?’
Prayer: Father God, thank You for your amazing grace through the sacrifice of Your only Son on our behalf. Through Him, I have received the gift of justification and righteousness for which I am thankful. I ask daily to be filled with Your Holy Spirit that I might obey Your command to love You and my neighbors. Amen.
Righteousness by faith alone
Scripture reading for February 19th: Romans 9
Key Scriptures: Romans 9:30-33 “What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.””
Paul was a Jew and would have given his own life and salvation for that of his Jewish brothers and sisters. He understood the futility of trying to keep the law for righteousness. He had tried and failed and knew that his brethren had also failed. It was only by faith that righteousness could be obtained as a gift, not as wages earned. This was the stumbling stone, Jesus Christ–one descended from David perfectly kept God’s law and offered Himself as a sacrifice by giving His body and blood. Faith in Him alone would bring the gift of righteousness.
Romans 3:28-30 “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes of Gentiles also, since God is One–Who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing the way of faith and grace to obtain justification and righteousness. I believe in Jesus Christ and will not be put to shame! Open doors for me to proclaim the Good News of Your grace gift today.
Romans 4:3-5 “For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in Him Who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness. . . .”
Fully persuaded!
Scripture reading for June 17th: Romans 4
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Romans 4:18-22 “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead–since he was about a hundred years old–and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waiver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised. This is why “It was credited to him as righteousness.””
Abraham was known in Israel as the father of the nation. He took God at His word at a time when he was old and his wife was also old and their bodies beyond normal child-bearing ages. God promised him offspring–an heir that would come from his own body, through whom all nations of the earth would be blessed. Abraham would also be the father of many nations. After God spoke to him, Abraham was strengthened in his faith and became “fully persuaded” that God had the power to fulfill His promises, no matter what it looked like in the natural! This became a credit of righteousness before God!
Observations for over-comers: Believing God is the essence of all faith and true righteousness. Believing is the only way to please God and God will reward each person, who like Abraham is “fully persuaded” with eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ! We, like Abraham, will be credited with righteousness! “See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright–but the righteous will live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4)