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False Faith Chapter 6 James 2:14-26. Be Mature. Faith is the key in Christian life. Sinner is saved by faith (Eph 2:8-9) Believers must walk by faith (2 Cor 5:7) Faith pleases God (Heb 11:6) Apart from faith is sin (Rom 14:23)
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False Faith Chapter 6 James 2:14-26 Be Mature
Faith is the key in Christian life. • Sinner is saved by faith (Eph 2:8-9) • Believers must walk by faith (2 Cor 5:7) • Faith pleases God (Heb 11:6) • Apart from faith is sin (Rom 14:23) • Faith is obeying in spite of consequence, not believing in spite of evidence • Faith is a confidence that God’s Word is true and conviction that obeying the Word will bring His blessing • Relationship between faith and works • Three kinds of faith • Dead faith (James 2: 14-17) • Believers have responsibility to help those in basic needs
Gal 6:10 -As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. • Matt 25: 40 - And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. • Gal 5:6 -For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. • Luke 10: 25-37 Good Samaritan and dead faith • James 2:14 - What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? • Dead faith doesn’t show changed life and good works • James 2:17 -Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Alone means by it itself • The saving faith brings life and life produces good works • Dead faith relies on intellect (mind) and is not saving faith: a counterfeit faith • Demonic faith (2: 18-19) • Devils also believe the existence and deity of God • Sonship: Mark 3:11-12 • Existence of hell: Luke 8: 31 • Jesus as judge: Mark 5: 1-13 • Faith is based on intellect and emotion (heart) • James 2:19 - Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. • Being a Christian involve trusting Christ and living for Christ (Ephesians 2:8-10) • Receive and reveal life • Dead in Greek means barren or idle
Dynamic faith (2: 18-19) • Real saving faith that is based on the Word of God (Rom 10:7) • This involver the whole man: intelligent (mind), emotion (heart), and will. • The mind understands the truth • The heart desires the truth • The will act upon the truth • Dynamic faith leads to action and obedience on the part of the will • Reveals good work Examples: Abraham, a Jew – God called to move to make out of him a great nation: Israel where Jesus was born. Genesis 15 – God showed stars and said and make a promise to him. He believed (15-16)
Counted – a legal or financial term meaning “to put to one’s account” • Justification is an act of God which is once-for-all event, not process (sanctification) • Justify by faith: justified before God and righteous • Justify by work: justified before men as in demonstrated How? Isaac on the altar James 1:16 - Do not err, my beloved brethren. Titus 3:8 - This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. Rahab: a Gentile who responded mentally, emotionally and willfully. Will – protected the Jewish spies and shared the good news of deliverance with her family members Harlot – host in Joshua 2 immoral person in James 2
II Corinthians 13:5a • Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. • Was there a time when I honestly realized I was a sinner and admitted this to myself and to God? • Was there a time when my heart stirred me to flee from the wrath to come? Have I ever seriously been exercised over my sin?
Do I truly understand the Gospel, that Christ died for my sins and rose again? Do I understand and confess that I cannot save myself? • Did I sincerely repent of my sins and turn from them? Or do I secretly love sin and want to enjoy it? Or do I hate sin and fear God? 5. Have I trusted Christ and Christ alone for my salvation? Do I enjoy a living relationship with Him through the Word and in the Spirit?
Has there been a change in my life? Do I maintain good works, or are my works occasional and weak? Do I seek to grow in the things of the Lord? Can others tell that I have been with Jesus? • Do I have desire to share Christ with others? Or am I ashamed of Him? • Do I enjoy the fellowship of God’s people? Is worship a delight to me? • Am I ready for the Lord’s return? Or will I be ashamed when He comes for me?
Psalm 139:23-24 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.