Faith without works is dead - James 2: 20
By Pose123
@Pose123 (21635)
Canada
October 10, 2007 12:50pm CST
When John The Baptist, sent disciples to ask Jesus if he was the the promised one, Jesus did not say. Yes, I am. Instead, he said, "go tell John the things that you hear and see". Jesus knew that words were not enough, in fact, without works, words meant nothing. Some people in the early church began saying, "works mean nothing, all a person needs is faith". The epistle, or letter of James settles the matter once and for all. "Faith", says James, Without works is dead". Indeed, in verse 18, of the same chapter, he says, " Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works". The letter of James, is one of the shortest books in the New Testament, containing only five chapters, but is a book that every Christian should study, as it contains much wisdom. Just as a tree is known by its fruit, so a man or woman is known by their works. Blessings.
4 people like this
10 responses
@luzamper (1357)
• Philippines
11 Oct 07
There are two kinds of works in the Holy Bible - works of the law in the Old Testament and good works in the New Testament. The Israelites just follow the commandments and that means works of the law, no faith. In the New Testament, we have to have faith which includes obedience and that is works and the good works are required of Christians to do and they are enumerated in the New Testament, good works according to God and not good works according to man or one's self. Faith without obedience or works (good, of course) is just a mere belief - like that of the devil or Satan who believes in God but who does not like to follow or obey. In fact he fears God but yet he refuses to follow. And that is not faith required of salvation.
2 people like this
@erminiasanjose (1588)
• Philippines
16 Dec 07
Yes, it's useless if we faith but we do not do what is necessary to be done. That's why in professing faith, we have to do something to show what we profess and that is baptism to prove that we have faith. That is like signing a contract.
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
11 Oct 07
Hi Pose123! Oh, that is a very nice verse. I really believe on that and I sure hope that with my (little)faith and works, God will help me somehow in all the struggles and trials I am constantly experiencing. Take care and many blessings to you. And thank you for this topic because it reminded me to read my Bible again. Have a nice day.
@jimsonechave (19)
• Philippines
11 Oct 07
yeah right! when you believe and proffessed to yourself to be a Christian, you need to obey the commandments of God for if you have done against it, you are not true.
1 person likes this
@hopejordan (3561)
• Australia
11 Oct 07
praise the lord jesus keep the good work up and you will recieve blessings
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
11 Oct 07
Faith is more important, and you show your faith by your works. It does not mean that you have to do some great think, it come automatically. Your life changes and you start to do the things and good deeds because your life is now thankfulness to God. So where once you were selfish, now the joy of being a Christian fills your life so you now show it by your actions.
@AmbiePam (85677)
• United States
10 Oct 07
If we ever want to know about one's soul, all we have to do is look to see if their actions match their words. When you are an extension of God's Plan, there is little doubt as to how much faith that person has. And I don't ever want my faith to be in question.
@paxmundi (80)
• Philippines
11 Oct 07
I agree that everyone who considers themselves to be Christian should read and understand the Book of James. The Gospels teaches us the life of Christ. What we should imitate. The letters of Paul explains in greater detail what it means to be a Christian. The book of John teaches us about what true love is and how to love. But all these books are mere lip service to us without the book of James. Here we are asked like Christ did his apostles go out and pro actively be a Christian. No just in words, or in faith but in true works.
