Works of Grace
This week we continue in James 2:14-26 on how works play out with our faith. Please read the passage along with us. This week may seem like a simple passage, culminating in the truth that faith without works is dead. However, there is a lot of rich theology and old testament references in this passage. It is important to remember Jesus’ words in John 15:1-5:
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing…”
What good is it if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? These words, from the book of James, call us to live out our faith. That is the focus of our summer series – ‘work it out’.
What good is it if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? These words, from the book of James, call us to live out our faith. That is the focus of our summer series – ‘work it out’.
Dan has mentioned that James is a “punchy” book and this section is no exception. Here we uncover the difference between relationship and religion and at the apex we learn what true religion is.
Read James 1:19-27.
Reflection Questions:
What good is it if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? These words, from the book of James, call us to live out our faith. That is the focus of our summer series – ‘work it out’.