James 2:14-26

¹⁴ What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ 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? ¹⁷ Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
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. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! ²⁰ But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? ²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? ²² Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? ²³ And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. ²⁴ You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
²⁵ Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sentthem out another way?
²⁶ For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. -James 2:14-26


Paraphrase: What good does it make if someone says they have faith but not works, can faith alone save him? If a brother or sister is naked and hungry, and you say to them, "have peace, be warm and full" but does not do anything to help them, is it good? and hence, faith by itself is dead without works. Someone will say "You have faith and I have works" Show me your faith without works and I will show you my faith by works. You believe there is one God, even demons believe and tremble. But do you know that faith without works is dead? Wasn't Abraham justified by his works when he offered Isaac on the altar? Faith and Works was working hand in hand and by works faith was made perfect. And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” and he was called the friend of God. Hence a man is justified by works and not by faith only. Likewise, Rahab was justified by works when she help the messengers escape. For as the body with the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead too.

Lessons Learnt: FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD. Faith must be accompanied by works. If not, all out faith will be broken easily, like words in the wind. If we say that we have faith, our actions should show it, if not, where is the prove?


Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, I thank you that you have shown me that our faith must be accompanied by our works. I pray that you guide me to show my faith by my works as I continue to work in your ministry. LORD, help me as I continue to walk in you, that I may not lose faith as I show my works. May my faith and works always walk side by side and not one over another. Amen.