Faith Without Works Is Dead

Many confess they have faith, but there is no proof of that faith. They tend to brush it off as, “I guess it’s not God’s will,” not taking the onus of their faith. We are to test our faith to make sure that we are in the faith. It is by faith that you are saved. We must continue in this faith. This is why “The righteous live by faith.” If you don’t live by faith, what are you living by then?

2 Corinthians 13:⁵ Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?

James 1:² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Ephesians 2:⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

Many will confess the Lord Jesus and yet, they won’t live Jesus is Lord. People are being misled that all you need to do is say a prayer and you are saved. Romans 10:9-10 is a confession and action. If you believe that Jesus rose from the dead, you will want to get baptized. Baptism is the representation of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Everyone has been born into Adam, this is why everyone who accepts this message needs to be born again. It’s from the heart that people believe in righteousness. Jesus quoted Isaiah telling the people that they honor with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him. This saying a prayer and you are saved is a tradition of men that makes the word of God of no effect.

Romans 6:³ Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? ⁴ Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Romans 5:¹⁴ Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. ¹⁵ But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. ¹⁶ And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. ¹⁷ For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) ¹⁸ Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. ¹⁹ For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

Matthew 15:⁷ Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ⁸ ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
⁹ And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”

Sadly, today you don’t hear about people’s faith. In Paul’s day, people were proclaiming other people’s faith. You could tell when others were living by faith. Their minds were set and circumstances wouldn’t move them. Look at the faith chapter, Hebrews 11, and see if this isn’t so. When we listen or read other people’s material, examine their faith. Followers of Jesus don’t make it about themselves, but the One they are following. It’s their testimony about overcoming the enemy in their life. This is to encourage others to do the same. You will recognize these people who live by faith by the fruit that they produce. They just don’t believe that Jesus is Lord, they know He is. Now you know why, faith without living by it is dead. Be blessed, my friends

Romans 1:⁸ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

Hebrews 13:⁷ Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

James 2:¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! ²⁰ But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? ²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? ²² Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? ²³ And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. ²⁴ You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. ²⁵ Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? ²⁶ For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.