James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
This passage of scripture shows us the relationship of faith and corresponding works, how they work together in harmony to produce the desired results. Any system of theological instruction which teaches us that faith alone will save us is utterly false, and should be shunned as the plague. In the instance given of Abraham, we can see clearly where his faith in God translated into actual works, in that his son Isaac was offered as a sacrifice in obedience to the command of God. This was not the first time that the combination of faith and works was made manifest in his life, for it was also displayed when he was called to leave his home town, to go out to a place which God would show him as an inheritance for himself and all his descendents. Let's read:
Hebrews 11:8 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.
When the call came to Abraham he was at that time fully settled in Ur of the Chaldees, the land of his forefathers, and he could have then stated that he had faith to believe that God would do as He had promised. That line of reasoning is all well and good, but if it did not result in him actually packing his "U-haul truck" and moving, his faith would have remained as a dead promise, and none of his posterity would ever have seen the likes of the land of Canaan.
It is of critical importance for us to grasp this fundamental concept, and also to put it into practice in every aspect of our Christian experience, because a failure to do so has prevented in many cases, the blessings and good will of The Lord in our behalf from becoming a living reality. Through a misunderstanding or disregard of this sacred truth, many of us have literally permitted the devil to eat our lunch, while we stand aghast, staring at the promises of God and questioning "Why not me".
For instance many Christians are bogged down with sinful habits that strive for the mastery, and it seems as if we are praying to God until we are blue in the face and nothing seems to be happening. Whenever this occurs it is never because of a lack of available power on God's part, but often the culprit could be found in a lax attitude that divorces faith from the appropriate and corresponding works. For example a person may be struggling with the issue of covetousness, a sin that is more widespread than many believe, and though many long and fervent prayers are offered for victory, the problem just seems to be rearing its ugly head and popping up in different places, and in unexpected times and ways.
But if that same individual indulges the habit of window shopping which is not a sin in itself, the problem with covetousness is not going anywhere anytime soon, unless the exercise of self-denial is put in place, because what one sees often causes desire for it to be aroused, and as a direct result, what started off as a mere wish, suddenly becomes a desperate need that we cannot do without, lest we die. This is what took place with Eve in the garden of Eden, for she had not originally thought to eat of the forbidden fruit, but as she went "Window shopping" curiosity gave way to desire, and desire gave way to demand for what had suddenly become a desperate need that she could not live without. Let's read:
Genesis 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
In our day and in our own experiences, the interface of faith and works is just as necessary as in days of yore, when the faithful in ages past conquered armies, slew lions, and resisted the advance of death by burning, all through the formidable combination of faith and works. The same experiences are available to us today, and if we will stand like the brave, and put our money where our mouth is, then we will begin to see extraordinary results which we may have formerly been thought of as being impossible. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to realize the promises of God in our behalf, by combining faith and works through the grace and power of God. Let's read:
Hebrews 11:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!