Faith, part III
Some of the more powerful New Testament passages on faith are directed to believers. Just as surely as “faith only” will not save the sinner, “faith only” will not save the saint. That doctrine tends to create spiritual laziness. Putting it all on God. The faith that leads the sinner to become a child of God should work even harder once he is saved (Eph. 2:8-10). While we do not work to earn our salvation, a working faith is essential (Gal. 5:6; Phil. 2:12).
James the brother of the Lord wrote a great discourse subtitled “Faith and Deeds” in the NIV (James 2:14-26). Faith without deeds is useless and dead. James asks, “Can such a faith save him?” (James 2:14). The implied answer is a resounding “No.” Abraham is known as the “Father of believers” and people have too often said, “Abraham was saved by faith, and that is all I need as well.” James declares that it took both faith and action on Abraham’s part. Only when he was ready to offer Isaac on the altar did God consider Abraham’s faith to be complete (James 2:21-22). Do we have that sort of faith? To believe the right thing but fail to do it is not enough (James 4:17). The world will not find us genuine unless we take action and show our faith. Neither will God find us faithful unless we do so. Let us be faithful to the end (Rev. 2:10). Stay tuned…
To be a child of God is the greatest privilege we have, but we also have responsibility. May God bless us all as we work with his Spirit to develop the character the Father expects of his children. TC
