“But someone will say [to you then], You [say you] have faith, and I have [good] works. Now you show me your [alleged] faith apart from any [good] works [if you can], and I by [good] works [of obedience] will show you my faith.” James 2:18(Amplified Bible)
The age old question, “Is it works or faith that saves?” never seems to garnish a concluding argument. The truth is there is no conflict in scripture about salvation. Salvation is by grace through faith alone and only one thing on our part is necessary, that is that we believe(have faith).
What, then, do we do with the discourse in James promoting the place of works as a testimony of the believer’s faith? We believe and accept it as proof of faith. The works that James speaks of are not works that produce salvation in one’s life. Rather, they are the works produced by the salvation one receives through faith (truly believing).
Faith results in a confirmation of what we say we believe. If I really believe I am saved by faith in the atoning work of Jesus on the cross then my life will reflect my new nature given to me when I believed. Good works are the fruit of salvation. Salvation brings forth a new “creation” with the mind of Christ.
James is saying that if I really believe Iam saved I will live like it. Works are not a means of salvation but a proof that you are saved. “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he.” If you do not know that you are saved how can you live like it? Doubt nullifies any chance of living the way we should.
We look for good works in order to confirm a change in the inward nature of the individual. Depending on works as part of our salvation will never give us any security that we are saved. It only produces doubt.
“For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us[taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].” Eph. 2:10
“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.” Proverbs 22:1(NKJV)
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”(NKJV)
What’s in a name? I am sure that we have all heard that statement. The truth is that there is much in a name. It identifies a person for who he is and personalizes the character of the individual.
At one time there were five Jerrys here at New Life. If someone said, “Hey, Jerry” all of us responded, but add our surname and you personalized us. It narrowed us down to one. Have you realized each one of us has a special name given to him by God that only He and you know.
His name for you means much more than the one our parents or grandparents gave us. God has special names for us all. Some of the names are “Saint” “Saved” “Redeemed” “Child of God” “Friend” and “King” and other more personal ones between Him and you.
But, the name of Jesus is above every name and at that name every knee shall bow. Everything in heaven and on earth and under the earth shall bow before the name of the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Why is all this possible? Because God said so! We didn’t earn it. We didn’t buy it. We didn’t work for it. He just gave it. It is a gift from God for us to use and enjoy to the fullest.
I am thankful to God for His free heavenly gift. I know it came from a heart of love and I receive it with a heart of love. And furthermore, who can separate us from the love of God! He who has ears to hear let him hear!!
“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” Eph. 4:7(NKJV)
What is a gift? Isn’t it something that is given to someone? Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birthday and the main emphasis is giving gifts. How many people ever make the connection?
The Scriptures have some interesting things to say about gifts. Many sermons have been preached about the Gifts of the Spirit with all kinds of ideas involved. Some of the ideas come from trying to make the Bible say what they want it to say. Why don’t we just take what it says and not try to interpret it saying something else?
For instance I cannot find any clear scripture that even implies that spiritual gifts were to pass away before Jesus’ return. There is no teaching in scripture that healing was to stop with the last apostle.
Why do people insist on believing things they cannot support without scripture twisting? This is usually done in order to make scripture agree with their experience. The problem with that is experiences change but scriptures do not.
Scripture is always true no matter what we may experience. If I am broke, it doesn’t change the fact that God wants His people to prosper. If I have physical symptoms of illness, it doesn’t change the fact that God heals the believer.
All of God’s gifts have one thing in common, they are all “gifts” and should be treated as such. No one earns a gift; it is freely given. As a recipient of a gift all we can do is be thankful and use the gift as it is intended.
As recipients of Christ’s gift we should be thankful and use it the way it should be used. Oh, by the way, we didn’t earn any of it by our works.
FOCUS ON POTENTIAL, NOT LIMITATIONS
In order to succeed at being yourself, build confidence, and overcome insecurity you must focus on potential instead of limitations. Focus on your strengths instead of your weaknesses.
We cannot do anything and everything that everyone else is doing or anything we want to do. We can do anything God says we can do.
Each of us is full of gifts and talents and potentials and abilities. If we really begin to cooperate with God, we can go for the very best God has for us. If we set goals and ideas that are beyond our abilities and grace gifts on our life, we will become frustrated with life. We will not attain these goals and may end up blaming God for our failure.
Gifts and talents are distributed by the Holy Spirit according to the grace that is on each person to handle them. If you are going to like yourself, if you are going to succeed at being yourself, you are going to have to focus on your potential–what God has created you to be–not on your limitations.
If God called you to do something, you will find yourself loving it despite any adversity that may beset you.
from Joyce Meyer “NEVER LOSE HEART”
GOD’S WORD FOR YOU…..
Romans 12:6 “Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them…”
“O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge—by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.” I Timothy 6:20-21(NKJV)
Although the early church started out in one accord with what they preached, over the years to follow there would be great diversity in the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The apostles weren’t all dead before error crept into the message of the Gospel causing divisions in the Church to rise up. For the next two thousand years many conflicting doctrines have weaved their way into the preaching of the Gospel. Few of these came about as deliberate attempts to start a heresy. Most “leaders” in every new doctrine thought that they were right in what they preached.
Among all the variation of the Gospel that is preached there is only one truth. All of the others are false. It is critical in some areas that one believes and teaches the truth because it involves doctrine that means the difference between being lost or saved, heaven or hell, good or evil.
This fact is why Paul admonished Timothy to make sure he continues in what he was taught. It is sad to say that most people believe only what they have been told all their lives. Much of this problem comes from preachers that are preaching error. They repeat what they have learned from those who came before them.
People interpret much Scripture on the basis of their attitude. People view the Bible by the way they see the character of God. Hearing of God’s grace and love or hearing “hellfire and brimstone” can influence our understanding about God. It is important to know what God is like.
The Bible is the truth about God, life, sin, and all else; our ideas or opinions don’t count for much. Today the Bible is not given its place. Men have judged it rather than letting it judge them. Some believe some things but not others. I have heard men say that Paul’s writings should not even be in the Bible. Why? It must be because they don’t want to believe it. It conflicts with their doctrine. It is sad when we can see the truth in scripture and reject it because it does not agree with our view. We do not intend to change doctrine.
Here at New Life we desire that the truth be the truth even if we have to change what we believe to make it so. I do not claim to be right about everything I believe. But, one thing I do, I press toward the mark of truth that God has given us. I believe what I preach, not because I heard someone else preach it, but because I have studied the Scriptures to see if it be true. You all should do the same.
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