Faith Without Works is Dead

I got the inspiration for this message by the Holy Ghost, from a conversation with a New Hampshire Christian, while playing a chess game. We discussed some issues about Christian responsibilities and one of the topics discussed was about works of faith. Needless to say, we didn't see the same things on this subject, because he refused to believe what our Holy Bible says about works of faith. He claimed that Jesus did all the work for our salvation, and that we no longer have to have any works to continue in God's grace. Well, let's see what our Holy Bible says about this.

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 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? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:14-26

Our initial salvation is through grace, but the Bible is very convincing that after we're saved, faith alone will not suffice. We must go on to good works after were saved, just as Ephesians 2:10 says! Let's review some of the works of faith by great examples in our Holy Bible.

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Hebrews 11:4

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. Hebrews 11:6-8

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. Hebrews 11:17 & 19

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. Hebrews 11:24-26

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. Hebrews 11:30-31

There are other great examples of faith with works in the book of I Samuel.

I Samuel 14:6-16, 20

I Samuel 17:32-50

Now let's look at some New Testament examples of faith accompanied by works.

And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. Luke 7:2-9

Mark 2:2-5, 10-12

Matthew 15:22-28

Notice that in all three of these passages, the people had to act on their faith and come to Jesus. He didn't go seeking them out at their homes. They had a need and, believing that He could meet that need, they moved by faith and searched Him out.

The faith and works of Mary (mother of Jesus)

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. Luke 1:30, 38, 46-52

These are works of humility & the fear of God!

The following passages are examples of men who thought they had the works of faith, but had faith only.

Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. Acts 19:13-16

Matthew 17:6, 15-21

Numbers 14:40-45

IN CONCLUSION:

How do we have works of faith that God honors & will work through, for the sake of others? We know that we should follow the examples of the Old and New Testament men and women, as well as those who we have seen and have been assured of, that their faith with works is worthy of our consideration. Also, we know we have to obey all of God's word to be accepted (i.e., all that He has give to us, with understanding.) I am going to share a few scriptures that help explain to us how to have confidence that God will work His will through us for others.

Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. I John 3:21-22

There is a lot of information in those two verses:

• If our conscience is void of offense toward God, (our heart condemns us not)
  
• If we keep His commandments.
  
• And do those things that are pleasing in His sight,
  

Then whatsoever we ask we receive of Him.

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. I John 5:14-15

• We must ask according to His will, to know that He heareth us.
  

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Galatians 5:6

• We must have love for our faith to work.
  

I Corinthians 13:1-13 Charity never fails! True love is from God!

The Fountain of Living Waters

Over the years, people have searched for water that could heal our bodies or cause eternal life. One man even claimed to have found the Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine.

Well, there is a fountain of living water that our Holy Bible tells about, and it's listed in several books of the Bible. This water does give healing and eternal life.

When we rightly divide the Holy Word, scripture upon scripture, scripture upon scripture, here a little and there a little, we can understand what that fountain is and what it means to us.

For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. Jeremiah 2:3

O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters. Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise. Jeremiah 17:13-14

In these passages, we see that the Lord God referred to Himself as the fountain of living waters. He also said that Fountain provides salvation and healing.

The prophet Ezekiel spoke of a river of living water, coming out of God's temple. The vision of the Temple begins in Ezekiel Chapter 40. In Chapter 47:1-12, we see that this fountain comes from God Himself.

Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar ... And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine. Ezekiel 47:1-12

Notice that this passage also speaks of the fountain providing life and healing, in the fruit that the trees bear and the leaves they grow.

It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there. Ezekiel 48:35

In this last passage, we learn the key to this vision. Ezekiel's vision is actually showing us a description of Heaven on Earth, either during Jesus' reign as king for 1000 years or after God our father brings heaven to earth at the end of that reign.

There are other prophecies in the Old Testament that speak of this Fountain, or river, coming from God's House.

Joel 3:18

Zechariah 14:8-9

There are references to living waters in the New Testament, as well. Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well:

Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:13-14.

Jesus made reference to Living Water flowing in our belly, or our inner being. He was speaking of the Holy Ghost.

In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) John 7:37-39

What must we do to receive this Living Water?

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Revelation 21:6-7

We must overcome sin and the devil. To those who choose to serve Christ, the fountain is open and free.

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17

We all can be voluntary partakers of those Living Waters!

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Revelation 7:9-17

May God help us all to have that river of living waters flowing in us, to bless others and our families. May He help us to overcome all the enemies of our soul and to be partakers of those waters that will flow in Eternity. God bless you and yours, In Jesus Name.

Ask for the Old Paths

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Jeremiah 6:16

This ministry is rooted and grounded in the Word of God (the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth). The message we preach, teach, and demonstrate to the best of our ability by that true Word of God, will bring repentance, life from death, prosperity and healing.

We have a responsibility to continue in those old paths of holiness, righteousness, and godliness, so that we can also reap the benefits of revival in our midst (i.e., have the presence of the Lord among us).

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Psalm 63:1-2

There are some among us who need healing in their bodies and souls, and they will get that healing only through the old paths and the good way. Through doing what King David did, seek God.

We must be forgiven of our sin and converted.

To get these blessings from the Lord, we must first be forgiven.

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 103:1-5

We must be converted, or changed into the new creature God requires us to be.

Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. Isaiah 6:10

We must return to the Lord, and stop following after our own ways.

Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. Hosea 6:1

We must humble ourselves and pray, asking the Lord to have mercy on us.

O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. Psalm 30:2

Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Psalm 107:19-20

We must pray and hear the Word of God, rightly divided.

And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Matthew 9:35

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. Matthew 4:23

My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:20-22

We must call for prayer, also an exercise in humility and obedience.

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. James 5:14-15

We must have faith and trust, believing in the healing power of Jesus Christ.

Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. Matthew 9:29

And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:58

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Proverbs 3:5-8

May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ help you to believe His Holy Word and give you all your requests according to His will. In Jesus name, Amen.