Saturday, July 23, 2016

The Book of James: Putting Faith to Work! (Chapter 2:14-20)



Hello Friends!

Welcome back to our Monday morning Daily Devotions summer series titledThe Book of James: Putting Faith to Work!

The Book of James: Putting Faith to Work!

This week we will continue our reading of verses 14-20 in chapter 2 as we consider A Dead Faith…

Inevitably, people with “dead faith” will always substitute worthless “words” of the “flesh” for the righteous “works” in Jesus Christ. However, true “faith” is not demonstrated by what we “say“ but is found in what we “do!“ Therefore, we must not trust in words alone, but in actions. True Biblical “faith” will always be seen in “righteous” and God-honoring “works” from a “pure” redeemed heart – But dead faith will not be seen at all!

Therefore, we could paraphrase James this way: “Faith plus nothing equals nothing!” And throughout these poignant passages, James describes this kind of "dead faith” in three ways:

Empty Confession!
False Compassion!
Shallow Conviction!

Here again in this serious section of Scripture, James provides for us another test of “true faithversesfalse faith” through – Unrighteous works of the flesh!

A Dead Faith!

James begins this passage with two telling questions for the “brethren” to consider regarding a phonyfaith” of which does not please God. Here is an empty confession:

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? – James 2:14

The very important point that “wemust understand in approaching this passage of Scripture is that there is a kind of “faith” in Jesus Christ that does notsave” a soul. Valid “faith” has always been verified by a “fruitful” life of “obedience” to God’s Word. This is the true savingfaith” of Jesus Christ! 

For example, James’ big brother Jesus instructed His “disciples” with this command regarding their “good works” in the opening of His Sermon on the Mount teachings:

Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven – Matthew 5:16

In other words, the “light” that “shines” out of the life of a true “believer” is one of “good works” demonstrated by deeds associated with true “repentance” from “sin” to “salvation” in Jesus Christ. And again Jesus said this concerning the “will” of His “Father” at the closing of His Sermon on the Mount teachings:

Not everyone that says, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of My Father in heaven – Matthew 7:21

The point? It is not the “someone” who “says” they are “doers” of God’s Word. The “brethren” will exhibit true savingfaith” in Jesus Christ by their “works” for Him. Sadly, many “religious” people are being deceived and deluded by a fatalfaith” that does not “profit” their soul nor will save them from an eternal hell. James is essentially asking the question: “Can that kind of faith save anyone?” The obvious answer is NO! Therefore, we must not trust in what people sayWe must discern what they do!

THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: Because of the extreme load of man-made “legalistic“ piety found throughout the “religion” of Judaism, these precious Jewish people internalized a tremendous amount of stress due to their self-inducedworks-righteousness” belief system. Imagine being required to keep relentless “religious” laws that you know you couldn't possibly keep. Imagine being absolutely overwhelmed with a myriad of rules and regulations of which no human being could ever uphold. And imagine “believing” that your “salvation” was dependent on your own ability… A tremendously terrible burden! As a result, many of these Jewish “brethren” may have gone from the one extreme of “legalism“ found in Judaism to the other extreme of “cheap grace“ found in Antinomianism pertaining to an improper understanding of “works” within their “Christian” worldview. In other words, if “works” were not necessary for “justification” before God, their “faith” became simply a “dead” intellectual exercise... Then along came the gracious “Gospel” of “salvation” as a free “gift” from God in Jesus Christ – Praise the Lord!

How do all these concerns manifest themselves in the lives of the phony “one” of whom James is addressing here? James continues with the “dead” outcome concerning a false compassion:

If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead – James 2:15-17

James points to the fact that this kind of “religious” rhetoric is nothing but a “dead” and empty confession of a false “faith” in the flesh. It is a phony “profession” without provision and a rash “religion” without compassion. There are no righteous “works” associated with the worthless “words” such as “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled” propagated to a “brother or sister” of whom are in desperateneed.” James asks how this kind of phony “faith” will “profit” anyone. True “faith” that is placed in Jesus Christ alone will receive a “new nature” manifesting itself – In loving action!

Up to this point, James has said that a “dead” phony “faith” is marked by an empty confession and a false compassion. Next James contends that a “dead” and worthless “faith” is also marked by a shallow conviction:

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 – James 2:18

The “someone” James refers to here is most likely himself. Much like the Apostle Paul, James is a “humble” man and therefore speaks here in the third person. In other words, James says: “Go ahead, show me your faith! How can you show true faith without your profitable works?” James possesses true “faith” and refers to this “unbelieving” person as the “you” of whom claims to have a “faithwithoutworks.” Incidentally, the word "show” here means to exhibit or put on display. Therefore, if there are norighteous” deeds nor the “fruit” of “righteousness” found in their life, then there is no way to demonstrate the validity of their profession of “faith” in Jesus Christ – It is impossible!

Sadly, this “unbelieving” person might even argue further by claiming: "Well, I believe in one God. In fact, I'm a monotheist!" To this point James again refutes with this stinging statement:

You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! – James 2:19

In other words, James says to this person: “You intellectually believe that there is one God? Good for you!“ Historically, the Jews have always prided themselves on their “religious” orthodoxy, particularly “believing” in the “one true God” as the shema of the Old Testament states:

Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!Deuteronomy 6:4

By the way… The “demons believe” this fact too! However, unlike this pious “unbeliever,” at least the “demons” have the sense enough to “tremble” at this “truth” – Seriously!

DEMON FAITH? There is no such thing as a liberal demon! In fact, all “demons” are quite sound in their theology. They “believe” in the deity of God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son. They “believe” in the person of the Holy Spirit and the triune God head. They “believe” in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They “believe” God created everything in six literal days. They “believe” in the Rapture of the Church. They “believe” in Israel’s Biblical place and God’s future plan for the Jewish people. They “believe” in a literal return of Jesus Christ to the earth and His Pre-millennial 1000-Year Kingdom to come. They “believe” in Heaven and Hell. In fact, they could even sign the theological statement of any “doctrinal” creed. And although “demons” do not have the capacity to “receive” Jesus Christ as “Lord” and “Savior” due to their wicked rebellion against God, there are no heretical demons” – They agree with everything orthodox in the Scriptures!

Now we conclude our time in this passage as James bluntly questions this “false” and “foolish” critic:

But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? – James 2:20

James says “O foolish man” of which means empty-headed and without a clue. In other words, “Are you willing to recognize this fact, you empty-headed man? Your false faith without righteous works is dead!"

This “foolish man” mentioned here in verse 20 is the same unbelieving “someone” mentioned in verse 14! Incidentally, James uses a different word for “dead” here than he used previously in verse 17. Here he uses the word “arga” which means fruitless such as a tree that bears no fruit and is worthless for the harvest! Therefore, James reiterates to this “foolish man” that “faithwithoutworks” is indeed a “dead faith” – And it profits absolutely nothing!

POINT TO PONDER: We can hear all about “faith” but the validity of it has to be seen in the “life” of the professing person. Therefore, James essentially asks “Look at your works… What do they say about your faith?” So… What about yourfaith” – Is it authentic?

In closing:

Inevitably, someone will ask the question: "Isn't James in conflict with Paul?" This is the typical “religious” argument espoused by those who mishandle and malign God’s Word. To answer this objection, we have to accept what James says in that we must have “works” to validate our “words.” In so doing, we are not denying what Paul also taught when he said “salvation” is of “faith alone,” by “grace alone.” But wait! Since Paul is saying no “works” and James is saying “works” aren't they in conflict?Good question! 

James and Paul are not standing face to face in a confrontation. They are standing back to back fighting two common enemies! Paul is fighting those people who want “salvation” to be by their “works” of the fallen “flesh” and James is fighting those people who want “salvation” to be withoutworks” of any kind. Paul is saying “salvation” is bygrace” alone and James is saying “salvationproducesworks” unto the Lord – There's absolutely NO conflict!

 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. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them – Ephesians 2:8-10

The Apostle Paul is defending “the faith” against a legalisticsalvation” that claims one must “work” of their own merit to be “saved” through the “Law” of God. James is defending “the faith” against a libertinesalvation” that claims one can simply “believe” and have no changed life and therefore be “saved” through the intellect. Therefore, to add any “works” to the “grace” of God is to denygrace” itself! That is the issue – We are saved by faith alone for the good works God has prepared in advance for us to do for Him!


Thank you for reading! Don’t miss next week’s continued study of The Book of James: Putting Faith to Work!

May the Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless you with His perfect love, mercy and grace!

Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!

Blessings!
Shane <><

Friday, July 22, 2016

Who do you say I am?

Matthew 16:15-16

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Who do you say God is?  When others talk with you, do they know who Christ is to you by the way that you talk and the way you live your life?  Is Christ just someone that you go to when times are tough or is he someone that you have a personal relationship with? 

When I was baptized, almost 30 years ago, I had to give my statement of belief before the Church.  I stated that, “I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” 


If you do not live this, then do you truly believe it?  Today I just want to encourage you to think about this frequently.  Never let your life be taken over by the everyday busyness where you forget why you’re here.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

God's 'Plan A'

You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.  Matthew 5:14-16

Monday marked my 50th birthday.  In taking a moment to pause in reflect, I felt God tugging at me and making me uncomfortable.  I felt pushed to be more daring and willing to challenge my own comfort level.  Here is one area where I felt challenged; doing instead of just praying.  I have heard a lot of people speaking of the world being fallen and that the country needs to repent and turn to God after the many recent deaths of both civilians and police officers.  That on the surface sounds like a wonderful idea, and yes, we should always pray for more God in the world.  However that’s when I stopped to think about it.  Do we sometimes use praying for God to come down as an excuse to not do His work?  Another way of putting this is, do we leave things for God to handle just because it is either too uncomfortable or inconvenient for us to do it?

While God can certainly handle anything, sometimes we need to acknowledge we are Plan A.  I love these words from Jesus because it serves as a rallying cry.  It speaks to empowerment saying that we have God’s power to do His will whenever called on.  We often look at God as the Almighty, The great I Am, and many other terms of respect for His authority.  However we often fail to remember that through the Holy Spirit, God resides right within us.  I am not saying that we ourselves our God.  What I am saying is that we are often called upon to be His vessel, and as such must act to as one of my favorite sermons once said, “Go out and do!”  Thus whenever a situation calls for prayer, we must first pray to God what He wants from us.  It might be to just pray for help, but many times, He wants us to get our hands dirty and help someone.


God has given us so much!  He gives us His grace, love, and protection, but He also gives us power.  There is a saying that sometimes you ask the question, and sometimes, the answer is you.  Today’s verses say that we are His advocates for change and enlightenment in the world.  It is no wonder Jesus ends the book of Matthew saying, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  So let us be that light shining on the hilltop that cannot be hidden!  What do you need to change in your life to accommodate what God is asking of you?  How can you better discern when God wants prayer or commands actions?  My prayer is that we embrace that role of sometimes being His ‘Plan A.’ Amen.

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Tues Devo: Quick reminder

Hello,

There is so much going on in our world today. Terrorist activity over the globe, social and racial tensions in the US, the political war that is an election year….it can be overwhelming – and we haven’t even gotten to dealing with your own family! I felt like it would be a good reminder today to look at what instruction Paul was giving to Timothy, during their time of unrest in the world they lived in. It was simple – prayer. But yet, this is easier said than done. We say we pray, but do we? Do we truly open our heart to God and seek Him on all things? Do we spend the time when we are focused and dialed in?  Or do we just say we pray, but in actuality our only prayer times are a quick couple words in the hurry of life?

1 Timothy 2:1-8 “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayer and petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. Therefore, I wasn’t the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.” (NASB)

Spend some time praying this week!