Calendar

THE “ALONE-FAITH” VS FAITH ALONE
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4
James 2:17

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

 

“…though I have all faith…
and have not charity,

I am nothing.”

 

THE “ALONE-FAITH” VS FAITH ALONE
 
If it is not by God’s grace, faith will not result in genuine salvation and will not produce good works. It is dead! On the contrary, faith that is wrought by the irresistible grace of God upon His elect will undoubtedly result in true conversion because it regenerates. It gives the believer life and produces good works because he is alive in Christ.
 
The “alone-faith” has no works: The faith confessed by those who claim to be believers can only be proven its worth by the results it produces. One may boast eloquently and superlatively about his faith, but it is useless if it is not acted upon. Like thunder and lightning, which cause people to tremble, it is useless without the accompanying rain. The “alone-faith” which has no works is no better than a beautifully dressed corpse in an expensive coffin. It is dead!
 
The faith alone that has works: James says that faith alone is dead. The context, however, tells us that it is when faith is by itself, i.e. it is destitute of good works, that that faith is what is dead. But the faith alone that saves is not dead because it results in good works. A living faith is manifested with works that fulfil the commandments of God. It makes a believer love God and his neighbour.
 
“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit” (1 John 4:7-13).
 
THOUGHT: Is my faith dead or alive?
PRAYER: Father, I praise Thee for Thy gift of salvation. It is so rich and free for it is by Thy grace through faith alone in the Lord Jesus alone!

Search