IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Faith and Works Go Together

Date: Dec. 20, 2017

Passage

James 2:14-26  (ESV)

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 2:17

So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

1. Faith without action is dead (14-19)

Good deeds, without faith in Jesus, cannot save. But faith, without good deeds, is also dead. True Christian faith reveals itself in good deeds. Saying good words without practical help for brothers and sisters in need is useless. Faith and good works are not separate matters - they go together. Believing in God is not enough for even demons believe in God. Our belief and faith are to be accompanied by good deeds.

2. Biblical evidence for good works

(20-26)

Faith and deeds working together is seen in Scripture. Abraham believed God's promise by faith. He also offered his son Isaac on the altar by faith. God considered Abraham righteous by both his faith and his actions. Rahab, a Gentile prostitute, believed God would give Jericho to the Israelites and so she hid the spies. Her faith revealed itself in action and God saved her and her family. (Josh 2, 6)

Prayer: Lord, let the faith you have given to me produce good works that please you and can bless others.

One Word: Faith without works is dead

Daily Bread

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

Acts 8:26-40

Key Verse: 8:35

Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.

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Intro Daily