Daily Devotional
November 28
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? - James 2:14-16 (KJV)
These verses in James have led many to be confused, as on the surface they seem to be saying the opposite of what Paul preached, that we are saved by grace, through faith, and not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9). James is just saying that just having faith is not enough to save you, as saving faith will always have works of faith to go with it. There are two types of works, one is works of the law, where you are doing things trying to earn self-righteousness, and earn something from God. The other is works of faith, where you are doing things because of faith in what Jesus did for you, and out of love for Him.
This illustration given by James shows what he meant when he said to be a doer of the Word and not just a hearer (James 1:22). What good does your faith accomplish, if you just say what someone needs, without providing it for them? If you see someone hungry, feed them, if they are naked, clothe them, as that is doing something in faith, and not just saying it. When we are before Jesus in the end-times, He will not want to know what we have just said, but what we have done for those in need, as Jesus said what we do for those in need, is the same as doing it for Him (Matthew 25:40). All Christians should care for the needy in every way that we can, and by doing so we will lay up treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:20), and reap the rewards for an eternity – praise God.
Devotional by Pastor Joe W. Green, www.infinite-faith.com
**Daily Devotional**
**November 28**
*14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? - James 2:14-16 (KJV)*
These verses in James have led many to be confused, as on the surface they seem to be saying the opposite of what Paul preached, that we are saved by grace, through faith, and not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9). James is just saying that just having faith is not enough to save you, as saving faith will always have works of faith to go with it. There are two types of works, one is works of the law, where you are doing things trying to earn self-righteousness, and earn something from God. The other is works of faith, where you are doing things because of faith in what Jesus did for you, and out of love for Him.
This illustration given by James shows what he meant when he said to be a doer of the Word and not just a hearer (James 1:22). What good does your faith accomplish, if you just say what someone needs, without providing it for them? If you see someone hungry, feed them, if they are naked, clothe them, as that is doing something in faith, and not just saying it. When we are before Jesus in the end-times, He will not want to know what we have just said, but what we have done for those in need, as Jesus said what we do for those in need, is the same as doing it for Him (Matthew 25:40). All Christians should care for the needy in every way that we can, and by doing so we will lay up treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:20), and reap the rewards for an eternity – praise God.
Devotional by Pastor Joe W. Green, www.infinite-faith.com
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