GPS Guide – January 24, 2020
FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD
Friday
Read: James 2:18-26
” 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (NIV James 2:18-26)
Study: We finish off this week by looking again at James. Here, James shows, through the example of Abraham and Rahab, that there is no true faith apart from good deeds. What good is it to believe alone in God but not share that good news with those around you? It can be difficult to do the things we are called to do as Christians but we know that a mature faith calls us into Christian action. If we believe we must act like believers. What actions show that you are a Christian? How do you respond to your belief in Christ?
Prayer: Christ Jesus, even though it is not always easy to match our actions to our faith, I pray that you show me how to act more like a Christina in my day to day life. I pray that you strengthen my faith so that my actions are also strengthened. Amen