What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
Midweek thoughts
There seems to be a lot of discussion about salvation by faith or works. There are a lot of people out there who believe we are saved by faith alone. We are saved by faith. When we have true faith in God, in what Jesus did for us on the cross, and we give our hearts to Him we are saved. But is it enough to simply say a prayer to God and that’s all it takes? Is that enough? I feel there is a more than just that. Let’s look at it just a bit more.
I would direct you to read James 2:14-26. This is where we currently are in our Tuesday night Bible study. I love this part of James. The entire part I ask you to read is all about faith and works. Let me break down for you what I get from reading these verses.
Faith is very important, and you must have faith. It all starts with faith. If you truly have faith in our Heavenly Father, if you truly believe and have faith that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and mine, then it will cause a change in you. When you pray, not once but over and over again, asking for the Holy Spirit to fill you and Jesus to save you, the Holy Spirit WILL begin changing your heart. As the Holy Spirit works in your life, you begin to do “works” that others can see. Then our faith is seen by others.
The faith that saves us is the faith that brings about the works that show God in our life. People can see Him in us, not just hear us speak a few words. Our actions should back up our faith. If we don’t have works, action, to back up our faith then it isn’t true faith. “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:17 NKJV)
Let the Holy Spirit work in your life. Let it be seen by all those around you. True faith, followed by works, leads to the greatest gift of salvation any of us could ask for.
Remember, faith is followed by works! Praise Him for the gift of salvation!