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Christian Devotional – October 28, 2015
Read James chapter 2 VERSE: James 2:25–In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction. TRUTH: James gives yet another example, but this one is much different that the previous example of Abraham. Rahab wasn’t good. She wasn’t a person who had been seeing God her whole life like Abraham, yet even she is listed as displaying her faith through her actions. It doesn’t matter what our past is. When we come to God and by faith accept His free gift of eternal life, He changes us. We…
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Christian Devotional – October 27, 2015
Read James chapter 2 VERSE: James 2:24–You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not be faith alone. TRUTH: As James concludes his example of how faith and actions go together, he wants people to realize that they must be focused on their actions as the living out of their faith. We are a combination of both. Our actions reflect our thoughts and beliefs and our beliefs are reflected by our actions. They should both go together and mirror each other. Are we being consistent in how we live out our life? God sees both our actions and our belief; is He pleased with what…
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Christian Devotional – October 25, 2015
Read James chapter 2 VERSE James 221-22–Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together and his faith was made complete by what he did. TRUTH: James is now giving his example of how faith and action go together. Everyone would have known the story of Abraham being asked to sacrifice Isaac on the altar and how God intervened and provided for him. We can see how God works and moves. We have faith in God and as we act out that faith, we realize that God is…
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Christian Devotional – October 24, 2015
Read James chapter 2 VERSE: James 2:20–You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? TRUTH: James has been talking about how faith and actions go hand in hand and now he is continuing his argument against those people who claim that faith by itself is all a person needs. James knows that if a person has true faith then they will be acting out their faith. As a result faith that doesn’t result in actions is not true faith. He will continue his argument in tomorrow’s verse, but we need to know that if we believe that just having faith by itself is all there…
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Christian Devotional – October 23, 2015
Read James chapter 2 VERSE: James 2:19–You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that–and shudder. TRUTH: Our belief in God is a good thing, but we must remember that it is more than just believe that God is real and that He is powerful. The demons know those facts. They just how real and how powerful God is. Yet, they are not saved. Our knowledge of God and Jesus isn’t enough. We must desire that He take control of our life. We must put Him first. As we do that, then we will see His power in our life daily and we will experience His…
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Christian Devotional – October 22, 2015
Read James chapter 2 VERSE: James 218–But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds and I will show you my faith by my deeds. TRUTH: Some people try to separate the two, but it is impossible to have true faith with no deeds or to have Godly deeds without faith. True faith in God will lead us to action. We will see that our God is a God who does things and we will want to be a part of the actions and the deeds that God is leading us to. By the same token, if we are doing good deeds, but…
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Christian Devotional – October 21, 2015
Read James chapter 2 VERSE: James 2:17–In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. TRUTH: You can’t just say you believe in something. Your deeds and actions must also line up with that statement. If you just say it, but don’t do it, no one will believe the words that you say. The proof that we believe what we say comes when we are actually living it and doing what we say. If someone from the outside was looking in at your life, would they believe that you are a follower of Jesus Christ just based on the actions in your life?…
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Christian Devotional – October 20, 2015
Read James chapter 2 VERSE: James 2:15-16–Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? TRUTH: James gives another example of how not to do something. Earlier the example was about love, now this example is about faith. If we say great, spiritual sounding things, but then don’t follow up with the actions that support our words, what good is it? James here is reminding believers that if we say we have faith in God, our faith will also be seen in…
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Christian Devotional – October 19, 2015
Read James chapter 2 VERSE: James 2:14–What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? TRUTH: That is a very good question; what good is it? If we say we believe in God and that we have faith that He will do all that He has said He will do, but yet our actions don’t reflect that belief and faith, then what good is our faith? Our actions are going to always reflect what is truly in our heart at that moment. We may slip up and fall and sin, but if we say that we…
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Christian Devotional – October 18, 2015
Read James chapter 2 VERSE: James 2:13–because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. TRUTH: Most people will talk about how mercy should triumph over judgment, especially if they are the ones needing mercy! However, most people don’t practice that or live that out on a regular basis. We want to receive mercy, but we want to pass out judgment. However, the scripture here discusses how mercy is given to those who give mercy. The Lord is merciful toward us. We all need His mercy. However, are we showing that same level of mercy to others? RESPONSE: Father, I talk…