December 11-13, 2009, "Faith and Works and Works and Faith..."

TRIUMPHANT VICTORIOUS REMINDERS
Inspired by the Holy Spirit
Written By: Teresa Criswell

"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. But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
~ James 2:18, 20 & 26 ~

"I believe in God."
"I know He exists."
"It is difficult to look at creation and try to deny that there is a 'Higher Power'."

These comments lead me to the statement that James, the brother of Jesus made which is recorded in James 2: "You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and they tremble!"

Wow! James spoke with great boldness regarding this humbling truth. As I thought about this statement; I was led to the good people of this world. They do great things for others, they give and give of themselves. They recognize their purpose and they do it. Yet, those same souls do not yet have a relationship with God without Jesus Christ. For Jesus is not 'just a way'...He is 'The' Way, 'The' Truth and 'The' Life. No man can come to the Father but through Him (John 14:6). Jesus is the 'security clearance' to get to the Father.

This humbling reminder then led my heart to a provoking truth of the Book of James in Chapter two. James says that "faith without works or obedience is dead". As I was driving today pondering this truth, the following phrase came up in my spirit and these were the words, "Faith without works is dead; so it is with works, works without faith is dead also." Wow!

I leave you with this today. If you believe that God exists, that is good. Yet, please know that even the demons believe and they tremble at this knowing. The belief is awesome, now I plead with you to go through the threshold from believing in your mind to believing in your heart which then activates the faith in receiving Jesus as Your Savior and Lord. It is not about religious ceremony, it's about allowing Him to rescue each of us from ourselves and the burden of sin.

God forgives in a way that the east and west cannot comprehend (Psalm 103:12). Isn't that amazing?

Please don't fall into the pit of condemnation. Fall into the Loving Embrace of Almighty God, taking the Hand of Jesus so powerfully revealed by the Spirit of God. O how He loves you! You don't believe it? Let the cross and the open, empty tomb remind you of His great unfailing love and forgiveness!

Comments

  1. Teresa, I love that this good, strong message is followed by a reminder not to self-condemn. That's how God works, too! He disciplines, but He always ends his message on a good note, to build us up (like the letters to the churches in Revelation).

    Great post, my dear sister!

    ReplyDelete

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