Faith W/O Works

I heard a very old song on YouTube a few days ago, and it brought me to James 2:14-26.

I'm including a large portion of Scripture today, so bear with me, I think it's important to read this whole passage:

"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy words, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

Christians can talk a good talk, but it's their walk that tells the truth.

So, what is your walk saying to those around you?

You've heard the saying, "Actions speak louder than words," and I believe that to be true.  Sometimes our greatest testimony for the Lord is by keeping our mouths quiet and letting our lives speak the words.

I'm not talking about a works salvation; Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

I'm talking about actions that will cause others to say, "What's different about you?"

Do you have to tell others you are a Christian, or will your actions speak louder than words?

Do your actions cause others to ask you for the reason you are different, or do your actions leave others confused?

I believe the way I live...

    Speaks louder than any word my mouth with utter...

        But that's just me!

Give me the Works

by Mark Farner

Give me the works, and I'll give to You,

All the glory and honor that You are due,

Oh, Lord of the good, Let Your Light shine through in me.

I've told so many about You,

How I can't make it without You,

It's not like I'm cryin', cause I'll keep on trying' anyway.

I'll keep on trying to reach them, as by your Spirit, You teach them,

But there's so many, that don't believe any of the words I say...

So give me the works, and I'll give to You,

All the glory and honor that You are due,

Oh, Lord of the good, let Your Light shine through in me.

They thought the behavior, or our Lord and Saviour was strange,

But if His works could shine through, in people like me and like you,

Just think of the lives He could change!

So, give me the works, and I'll give to You, 

all the glory and honor that You are due,

Oh, Lord of the good,

Let your light shine through in me.