Journal Entry ~ 06/20/18
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? - James 2:14
These verses are popularly debated among different Christian denominations. Some believe it is our works that save us, that somehow we earn our way to heaven with our good works. That is not what James is saying here. Understand this: you cannot earn your way to heaven. There is no amount of good works you can accomplish to prove yourself worthy of eternal life. Your are a broken, sinful person deserving of His eternal wrath. It is ONLY the grace and mercy He pours out on you as you accept Jesus died in your place that will get you into heaven. You can’t earn it and you don’t deserve it.
What James is referring to in these verses is our work as the evidence of our faith. There are some who profess they have submitted their lives to Christ with their mouths, yet their is no evidence of the surrender in their lives. They say they believe in Jesus, but they continue to live a life focused on their own pleasures and needs. Some are even so brazen to say, it doesn’t matter what I do, I’m already forgiven.
That’s the superficial faith James is speaking to in this passage. If we have truly humbled ourselves and submitted our lives to Christ, if the Holy Spirit has really come to dwell in our lives, then there should be a transformation happening in our hearts. That’s the evidence of our faith. We should desire to know Him more, we should be scouring His Word for His direction and seeking ways to bring our life into line with His commands, we should be looking for opportunities to be His hands and His feet in this broken world, we should be broken for the people of this world as we see them though His eyes, we should have a deep desire to share His Word with others. Our hearts should be growing more tender, more humble, more loving, more merciful, more forgiving every day.
If those things are not happening in your life, then it’s time to head back to square one and truly evaluate whether your heart is fully surrendered to God. Because if it is, you will have no choice but to show your faith in the works that you do.
Press on ~ you are loved 💗
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