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Repeatedly in the book of James, the phrase "faith without works is dead" or be it something similar. Many Christians use this verse as a form of motivation to do good deeds and works and what not so that they can satisfy God, and in their minds, not be dead. But what does this phrase actually mean?
See, our works can't save us. They never could and they never will be able to. And that's what God wants us to know. He wants us to know that over and over again, despite who you are or who you think you are. God gave us the Law to hold on to and portray, no? But what is the main purpose of the Law? To make us realize who we really, truly are; sinners. (Galatians 3:19)
This Law that God gave us, wasn't so that we could keep and try to be perfect with, it was so that we could come to the realization that no matter how hard we try, and no matter how much effort we put, we could never keep the Law, therefore we could never save ourselves. With that, God established one thing; we can't keep the Law, but Christ can. And He did. That's why Christ came down to this lowly life. Not only for taking our sins at His baptism and then dying for us and resurrecting, but also because He did the one thing we could never do; keep the Law. He did this on our behalf, and that's something God wants us to know. Christ played His part, and did it perfectly, if I might add. So now, it's our turn.
Here's where I put two and two together. The term "faith" means to believe without seeing. What God simply wants us to do, is believe in what Christ has done for us, and how He did it and know why He did it. That's it. The moment we have faith to believe, the gift of the Holy Spirit is given to us. Now, when the Holy Spirit is in us, manifestation needs to take place. Because all that Christ is, becomes who we are, and we need to permeate this aroma known as Jesus. Now this is the works that God speaks of.
Not the one where you put in all your effort to do good and then gain the fame and acknowledgement from the people around you. Not that it's not good, but it's not what God is asking for. What He wants us to do is to be a disciple, to preach and spread this Gospel. When we are able to talk about this Gospel, whole-heartedly, not by our works or deeds, but by the Spirit of God, then we know that we have faith, and works.
I'm not sure if what I've said has managed to make an impact on anyone, but it's all by God's will as to what happens. Just to clarify once again, our fleshly works can't ever save us because from dust we came, to dust we go. If it could save us, there'd be no point in Christ sending Jesus when we could save ourselves. Spiritual works is what God wants, as it's simply the act of the Holy Spirit that causes this faith to grow.
See, our works can't save us. They never could and they never will be able to. And that's what God wants us to know. He wants us to know that over and over again, despite who you are or who you think you are. God gave us the Law to hold on to and portray, no? But what is the main purpose of the Law? To make us realize who we really, truly are; sinners. (Galatians 3:19)
This Law that God gave us, wasn't so that we could keep and try to be perfect with, it was so that we could come to the realization that no matter how hard we try, and no matter how much effort we put, we could never keep the Law, therefore we could never save ourselves. With that, God established one thing; we can't keep the Law, but Christ can. And He did. That's why Christ came down to this lowly life. Not only for taking our sins at His baptism and then dying for us and resurrecting, but also because He did the one thing we could never do; keep the Law. He did this on our behalf, and that's something God wants us to know. Christ played His part, and did it perfectly, if I might add. So now, it's our turn.
Here's where I put two and two together. The term "faith" means to believe without seeing. What God simply wants us to do, is believe in what Christ has done for us, and how He did it and know why He did it. That's it. The moment we have faith to believe, the gift of the Holy Spirit is given to us. Now, when the Holy Spirit is in us, manifestation needs to take place. Because all that Christ is, becomes who we are, and we need to permeate this aroma known as Jesus. Now this is the works that God speaks of.
Not the one where you put in all your effort to do good and then gain the fame and acknowledgement from the people around you. Not that it's not good, but it's not what God is asking for. What He wants us to do is to be a disciple, to preach and spread this Gospel. When we are able to talk about this Gospel, whole-heartedly, not by our works or deeds, but by the Spirit of God, then we know that we have faith, and works.
I'm not sure if what I've said has managed to make an impact on anyone, but it's all by God's will as to what happens. Just to clarify once again, our fleshly works can't ever save us because from dust we came, to dust we go. If it could save us, there'd be no point in Christ sending Jesus when we could save ourselves. Spiritual works is what God wants, as it's simply the act of the Holy Spirit that causes this faith to grow.