Faith Demonstrated by Works

The part man has to act in the salvation of the soul is to believe on Jesus Christ as a perfect Redeemer, not for some other man, but for his own self.67Manuscript 1a, 1890.

Christ imputes His perfection and righteousness to the believing sinner when he does not continue in sin, but turns from transgression to obedience of the commandments.68The Review and Herald, May 23, 1899.

While God can be just, and yet justify the sinner through the merits of Christ, no man can cover his soul with the garments of Christ’s righteousness while practicing known sins, or neglecting known duties.69The Review and Herald, November 4, 1890.

The apostle James saw that dangers would arise in presenting the subject of justification by faith, and he labored to show that genuine faith cannot exist without corresponding works. The experience of Abraham is presented. “Seest thou,” he says, “how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?” James 2:22. Thus genuine faith does a genuine work in the believer. Faith and obedience bring a solid, valuable experience.70SDA Bible Commentary 7:936.

Faith and works are two oars which we must use equally if we [would] press our way up the stream against the current of unbelief.71Welfare Ministry, 316.

The so-called faith that does not work by love and purify the soul will not justify any man. “Ye see,” says the apostle, “how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” James 2:24. Abraham believed God. How do we know that he believed? His works testified to the character of his faith, and his faith was accounted to him for righteousness. We need the faith of Abraham in our day, to lighten the darkness that gathers around us, shutting out the sweet sunlight of God’s love, and dwarfing spiritual growth. Our faith should be prolific of good works; for faith without works is dead.72The Signs of the Times, May 19, 1898.
The Faith I Live By p. 115
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Prayer Requests
—-Need prayer for a guy named Ron who recently had open heart surgery tomorrow Monday I got a call from his aunt also another woman needs prayer but she couldnt remember her name. Mary
—-Please pray for Ron’s baby sister Rhonda whose husband had a massive stroke Thursday. They are taking him off life support today. Pray also for his sister Cindy as she travels to be with her. Rose
—-Please pray for Dagmar and her husband who recently had a heart attack. Also please pray for an elderly woman SDA who desperately needs help. Her washing machine broke down and she has water everywhere and no one to help her. Mary
—-My brother-in-law is scheduled for a heart transplant tomorrow. Please pray for him and for Ed. It’s Ed’s little brother. Carol
—-Please pray for our pastor. He had oral surgery and in the process the dentist knocked out his front tooth. Pray for freedom from pain and that it can be fixed soon. Pray also for his mother-in-law who also had oral surgery and is in a lot of pain. Rose
—-Please pray for my hearing aids. They somehow went haywire and I’m 2/3ds deaf without them. I can’t see my audiologist until the end of the month, or in May. Sylvia
—-Please pray for Marvin who has cancer and is not doing well at all. Rose
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Dear Friends,

After my grandfather and his brother were grown, my great-grandmother was very lonely. Somehow, she talked her husband into adopting a child. They chose a little girl named Margaret. She gave my great-grandmother some comfort from her difficult life. Sadly, this little girl lived only until she was about thirteen.

Without the antibiotics that we have today, many diseases in those far off days were fatal. Lacking an understanding of viruses and bacteria, the common people had many theories as to how these diseases were contracted. The people theorized that the diphtheria germ floated in the air until stuck to the rooftops. This seemed to make sense to them, because it seemed that when the snow and ice that covered the roof began to melt and form icicles, children would get this illness. They decided that the germs were in the icicles. Parents warned their children never to eat them and explained that if they did, they would get very sick and die.

Despite the warnings, Margaret decided to break off one of those dripping icicles and suck on it. Her throat felt dry and the forbidden icicle’s coldness felt soothing. She wondered why she had not tried it before. Shortly after this she got diphtheria and died. Everyone believed it was because of that icicle.

Every winter, when I was a little girl, my grandfather often showed me a picture of Margaret in her casket and warn me never to eat or even take one, small lick of an icicle no matter how good it looked. No doubt Margaret contracted diphtheria in a completely different way, but my grandfather believed that old theory all of his life. He loved me and was always so afraid that something would happen to me. So he gave me warning after warning.

Just as the people of long ago had some strange ideas about how diseases were spread, so there are many different theories about what is truth. Our Great Creator placed deep within each of us is the desire to know the truth. Yet, the evil one has placed counterfeits in the path in order to keep us from the very truth that we need. Some people declare that in order to be saved, we must make difficult pilgrimages to various shrines or holy places. Some say that in order to be saved, we must perform certain rites and ceremonies. Some believe that if they exactly follow the ten commandments, they can earn their way to salvation. Others believe that whatever their minister says is the truth and their idea of truth fluctuates according to whatever pastor they happen to have. Still others believe that all we have to do is believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and live as we please.

What is truth? How can we know the way? Solomon warns, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Prov 14:12 Our Dear Saviour tells us, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” Matt 7:13,14; Luke 13:24 Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth.” John 17:17 God’s Holy Word is “and lamp unto (our) feet and a light unto (our) path.” Ps 119:105 Jesus declares, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32

Only through the study of God’s Holy Word can we find the truth. “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.” “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. . . cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Ps 119:160; 19:7-14

Peter, as he was writing to the believers also assures us of this fact. He tells of his experience on the mount of transfiguration and then he makes the point that more important than what we see, more sure than what we hear, is the Word of God. “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:19-21 Isaiah was moved to write, “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isa 8:20 Here is the key. Everything we hear, everything we read must be tested by a “Thus saith the Lord.”

Why is a study of the Scriptures so important? From Genesis to Revelation they reveal the Way, the Truth, and the Life, “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” John 14:6; Gal 1:4,5 “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” 1John 3:1 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 Praise God! The Only Begotten Son of God left all of the glories of Heaven, all the worship of beings unfallen, all the adoration of the angels, and came to this dark and miserable planet to suffer and die the cruelest of deaths; that He might “redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14 “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Rom 6:15,16; 1 Cor 6:19,20

Where do works fit in? James explains their importance for a balanced Christian life. “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: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.” James 2:14-18

Therefore, let us “study to show [ourselves] approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 May we “work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in [us] both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Phil 2:12,13

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/faith-demonstrated-by-works-2.html