Exposing Dead Faith - Evangelical Caucus/Devotional

Gracetoyou.org ^ | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

[metmom]

"What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,' and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself" (James 2:14-17).

Dead faith is hypocritical, shallow, and useless.

Jesus said, "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 5:16). Your righteous deeds illuminate the path to God by reflecting His power and grace to others. That brings Him glory and proves your faith is genuine.

Your deeds also serve as the basis of divine judgment. If you practice righteousness, you will receive eternal life; if you practice unrighteousness, you will receive "wrath and indignation" (Rom. 2:6-8). God will judge you on the basis of your deeds because what you do reveals who you really are and what you really believe. That's why any so-called faith that doesn't produce good works is dead and utterly useless!

James illustrates that point in a practical way. If someone lacks the basic necessities of life and comes to you for help, what good does it do if you simply wish him well and send him away without meeting any of his needs? It does no good at all! Your pious words are hypocritical and without substance. If you really wished him well, you would do what you can to give him what he needs! Your unwillingness to do so betrays your true feelings. Similarly, dead faith is hypocritical, shallow, and useless because it doesn't put its claims into action—indeed, it has no divine capacity to do so.

I pray that your life will always manifest true faith and that others will glorify God because of your good works.

Suggestions for Prayer

-Perhaps you know someone whose claim to Christianity is doubtful because his or her life doesn't evidence the fruit of righteousness. If so, pray for that person regularly and set an example by your own good works.

For Further Study

-Read John 15:1-8.

-What illustration did Jesus use for spiritual fruitfulness?

-What is the prerequisite for fruitfulness?

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TOPICS: Evangelical Christian; Theology; Worship
KEYWORDS: gty

[metmom]

Studying God’s Word ping

[Psalm 73]

If one is truly saved, then that person would want to serve the Lord and not have the, "well, I'm saved" attitude - devoid of humility and a desire to do God's will, whatever that might entail.

So one would sit in church most Sundays, hang around for "fellowship", attend a Bible study or two and call it a day.

I see them in my own church and it's sad - they are on the cusp of victory and feel that coasting is just fine.

That's not how one "runs the race with endurance".

[imardmd1]

bmk

[Big Red Badger]

Run the Race...

[JesusIsLord]

Let me play devil's advocate. Let's take Christian named Paul who has a brother named Joe with a gambling and drug problem. Joe wastes his money on his vices and frequently finds he doesn't have money for food and rent. Paul has given Joe food and money many time and offered to pay his way to get into a Teen Challenge program. Joe refuses to do so.

At what point do you say, 'I will no longer give a person in need money or anything else because they refuse to help themselves?'

[Big Red Badger]

70 times 7 came to mind first...
He’s My brother as we should veiw
All in this AGE.
.
But just being there may be all one should do as supporting a brothers self destruction should be wrong and some
“Tough Love” applies.
.
Many hurting people out there and Many
Painful stories But God has provided the
Way to overcome
To restore the Lost and
To Glorify the Father!