(James 2:14-26) What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 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? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
A believer's good works - done with the right motives - will be rewarded...
(James 1:2-4, 12) Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
As believers, we have been shown God's mercy and grace! And so, being free from the Law and free from being judged for our sins should not entice us to live in disobedience.
And for all unbelievers, they will be judged and punished for their sins accordingly...
(James 2:12-13) So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
(James 1:17) Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
Let us not take God for granted! I hear unbelievers say that because God is good, there is no way He would send anyone to hell. But we know that God will not force Himself on anyone, especially since He has created us and given us all a free will; so if one chooses not to have God in their life, then that is their choice.
I also see believers think that they can judge one another's motives in what they do and say. There is only one Judge, and He is all-knowing, fair and just...
(James 4:11-12) Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?
Let us trust in the Lord's wisdom and trust in His will. As believers - even though we escape the White Throne Judgment where sins are judged - there will be consequences to our sins while we are still here on earth...
(James 5:7-11) Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. 8 You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. 10 As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.
Today's takeaway: not all suffering is a result of our own sins! It can be a result of another person's sin. Or just the fact that we live in a sinful world. And when we go through times of suffering, if we persevere, we will be rewarded at the Bema Seat. Although, we should do a self-check: DID we commit a sin that requires confession and reconciliation? If so, get back on track. If not, trust in the Lord and consider it a test. When we take a course in school, the teacher gives us tests in order to see how well we are progressing. It is not really for the teacher's sake, but for our own.
Also, as we lean on God to work these things out, our suffering becomes an opportunity to to be a witness to unbelievers, and to be an encouragement to believers, demonstrating how faithful and awesome God is...
(James 5:13-16) Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
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