By Pastor William Y. K. Brown Ph.D
(Resident Pastor)
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Osu-Bethel.
Tel: 0244165628/0243310773.
wykbrown@gmail.com
THURSDAY
THEME: FAITH THAT WORKS“
SCRIPTURE: James 2:14,18
“[14]What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? [18]But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
REFLECTIONS
Faith is not dormant; it is active and action-oriented. Faith in God and His word inspires good works. A pertinent question often arises, do works save us? The answer is simply no. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul clearly states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Remember it cannot be our works because our righteousness is like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). A rag that is washed could be used but one that is filthy cannot be used for anything worthy. So are our works. However, faith requires obedience which is also action-oriented. Though Christ has died for us and paid the penalty of our sins without us doing anything, unless we make a move, and stretch forth our hands to receive the offer, it cannot be ours. So faith must be demonstrated and this must manifest in good deeds. Our works without Christ will not qualify to save us, and neither will disobedience. Once we are saved by the blood of Jesus, we are to remain obedient to His commandments and His will. Thus, saving faith requires an expression of obedience and allegiance. We obey because we have been saved.
James the elder, challenges us on this issue that our works must be born from faith – towards God and in the strength of God. James 2:14,18, “[14]What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? [18]But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” Meditate on the discourse in James 2:14-26. How can we have saving faith and not care for others? Faith will always manifest in love and good works.
Faith takes away selfishness and cares for the well-being of others. Faith prays for people. Faith sees possibilities in people. Faith manifests in kind deeds, patience, respecting and accepting others, and working for the good of others. Saving faith sacrifices for the good of everyone. Therefore, Jesus reminds us in this era of self-seeking to remember the least of His brethren. Please read again Matthew 25:34-40. Verse 40 reads, “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” Faith that works will affirm your salvation in Christ.
MY SONG OF COMMITMENT
“Faithful” – New Era Acapella
LET US PRAY
– Praise and thank God for saving you, thank God for the good works He enables you to do; pray for faith that works to the glory of God;
– Pray for your family to exude faith that gives hope to others; pray for young people who have no parental guidance; pray for Christians to brighten the world around them with good works;
– Pray for leaders – religious, political, traditional, etc.; pray for prisoners, victims of violence and abuse;
– Pray for five selected people based on their needs; pray for the gospel of Jesus to reach souls that are dying without hope in Christ.
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