For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James
James is described as "the Lord's brother" in Galatians 1:19. He was surnamed "the Just," and was much respected beyond the limits of the Christian Church for his saintly life. While Paul deals specially with doctrine, James is concerned with practice; Paul expounds the wonderful significance of Christ's death and resurrection; James expounds the teaching of our Lord, especially in the Sermon on the Mount. Paul insists on faith as the means of justification before God; James lays stress on the works to which faith must produce.
It seems
likely that James had seen Paul's epistles, for he uses so many of the same
phrases and examples, and probably set himself to combat those who abused the
teaching of the great apostle. There were plenty in his time who believed about
Christ, and prided themselves in the orthodoxy and accuracy of their creed; and
James maintains that this is not sufficient to save the soul.
As far as
orthodoxy goes, no creed can be more absolutely orthodox than that held by evil
spirits. Repeatedly, during our Lord's life, they acknowledged that He was the
Holy One of God, but their belief had no effect on their character; it only
filled them with fear and dread. You believe that there is one God. You do
well. Even the demons believe and tremble!
(James
"Faith
without works is dead." It is good to test ourselves. We must see to it
that our heart is pure and our way absolutely transparent. In our dealings with
those around us, we must always seek to realize our highest conceptions of love
and duty. Even when our efforts of goodwill and affection are not reciprocated,
we must never lower the high standard of our action, but always keep before us
the conception of our Savior’s life in the home at
PRAYER
Help us; we
beseech You heavenly Father, to add to our faith, brotherly kindness, and
pardon the unkind word or impatient gesture; the hard and selfish deed, the
failure to give kindly help where we had the opportunity. Enable us so to live
that we may daily do something to lessen the tide of human sorrow and need, and
add to the sum of human happiness. In
Jesus name I plead, AMEN.
God's Daily Promise
Promise #177:
When you leave your body, you will be at home in My presence.
2 Corinthians 5:8 (WEB)
We are courageous, I
say,
and are willing rather to be
absent from the body,
and to be at home with the
Lord.
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