Faith and Works

     For the past couple of nights my family has been reading the book of James for family devotions.  I have been really enjoying this book of the Bible.  Last night we read James 2:14-26.  Verse 19 was my favorite of the passage, It says,"You believe that God is one; you do well.  Even the demons believe and shudder!"  Just because we believe in God doesn't mean we are saved.  The demons believe He died on the cross but they are not saved from hell.  We must give our hearts to Jesus and have total faith in Him.
     This passage also talks about faith without works is dead.  Verse 14-18 says, "What good is it my brothers, if someone says he has faith but doesn't have works?  Can faith save him?  If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking daily food, and one of you says to them, go in peace be warmed and filled, without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?  So also faith by itself,  if it doesn't have works is dead."  We can't just say we believe that Jesus died on the cross for us(faith), we need to tell others about how he died for us(works)!  We need to live with a desire to please Jesus.  We need to show our love for God in the way we treat others and live godly lives.  Verse 26 says, "For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead".   The 2 go together, faith AND works.  We should place our faith and trust in God and do works in His name.   Our works cannot save us but our faith apart from our works means our faith is dead.
     Our family Bible time is a real blessing to me and our entire family.  I have a lot to learn but I am thankful that God has given me His word.  Tonight we are reading chapter 3 of James and that passage is on taming the tongue.  This will be good!!