"Faith without works is dead". James 2:17
We are saved by faith, we are not saved by works. We are saved because we believe in the completed work of Jesus Christ. He redeemed us from sin and death. That faith is like a little seed that will sprout and grow. If your faith is alive and growing you will want to become more active. A little sprout only needs a little water, a little sunshine. But as your faith grows you want more and more light, more and more water. There is water in the word and light in the word. Your faith can grow into a large bush, filled with leaves. Those leaves are your "works". If you found a bush without any leaves you would say a bush without leaves is dead. For example you will spend more and more time in the word, more and more time in fellowship, more and more time in church, and more and more time in ministry. That is a healthy progression of faith.
Paul said that we are justified by faith and not by works. His evidence was Abraham who believed God when God gave him certain promises and "it was reckoned to him as righteousness".
James said that faith without works is dead and his evidence was also Abraham. He pointed out that Abraham offering up Isaac was an expression of faith. If you read that story God says when Abraham offered up his son to Him that at that moment He knew that Abraham's faith in the God of resurrection was truly alive.
Then you have the fruits of the spirit. If your faith is growing in a healthy way within a reasonable period of time we should see the fruit. People should look at you and realize this is not the same person.
We are saved by faith, we are not saved by works. We are saved because we believe in the completed work of Jesus Christ. He redeemed us from sin and death. That faith is like a little seed that will sprout and grow. If your faith is alive and growing you will want to become more active. A little sprout only needs a little water, a little sunshine. But as your faith grows you want more and more light, more and more water. There is water in the word and light in the word. Your faith can grow into a large bush, filled with leaves. Those leaves are your "works". If you found a bush without any leaves you would say a bush without leaves is dead. For example you will spend more and more time in the word, more and more time in fellowship, more and more time in church, and more and more time in ministry. That is a healthy progression of faith.
Paul said that we are justified by faith and not by works. His evidence was Abraham who believed God when God gave him certain promises and "it was reckoned to him as righteousness".
James said that faith without works is dead and his evidence was also Abraham. He pointed out that Abraham offering up Isaac was an expression of faith. If you read that story God says when Abraham offered up his son to Him that at that moment He knew that Abraham's faith in the God of resurrection was truly alive.
Then you have the fruits of the spirit. If your faith is growing in a healthy way within a reasonable period of time we should see the fruit. People should look at you and realize this is not the same person.