DCLM HIGHER EVERYDAY 8 DECEMBER 2021 — Living or Dead Faith
DCLM Higher Everyday 8 DECEMBER 2021 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi —Living or Dead Faith
TOPIC: LIVING OR DEAD FAITH
TEXT: JAMES 2:14-22
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 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?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
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?
MEMORY VERSE: “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 works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works” (JAMES 2:17, 18).
MESSAGE
We are in a generation of believers in the church who profess to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, yet at the same time show no evidence of sincere devotion to Him and His word.
Read: Higher everyday- Gains for our groans
Saving faith is always a living faith that does not only confess Jesus as Saviour, but also obeys Him as Lord. Saving faith keeps the believer on motion when it seems the whole world is against him.
To profess saving faith in Christ and contradict Him in deeds is a dead faith. Good works borne out of love of God are evidences of living faith. Good works of morality without salvation in Christ cannot save as they are filthy rags before God.
However, your faith must be backed up with good works for you to remain saved because without righteousness, your Christianity is fake. Faith should not be professed in isolation – it goes with gracious works. It is only by works that faith is perfected.
Good works entail sacrificial services that proceed from a pure heart towards God and humanity. Living faith demonstrates Christlikeness through good works.
QUOTE: Living faith demonstrates Christlikeness.
CHALLENGE: Faith can only live through good works.
PRAYER: Quicken my faith for sacrificial service, O God!
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
