Reading James (who's half-brother was Jesus the Christ and who's name was probably either Judas or some form of Joseph and was changed to James later by the King James version as a variant) who can come off abrasive but always the better for it, I read the verses...
"14What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?
15If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,
16and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?
17Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
18But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
19You believe that God is one You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
20But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
22You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;
23and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God.
24You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
25In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
26For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead
What do you think....
If i have faith and love that doesn't have love in action is my faith worth anything?
Am I doing what God would do if I just merely believe, even if I have a great doctrine?
Who's more Christ-like the one who acts or the one who talks?
I'd really love to read your opinions...everyone and anyone! The more the merrier!!
:-)
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4 comments:
Hey Mark I don't think i have seen you since the Sakamoto wedding, I hope all is well. it's my first time checking out your blog so I thought I would comment. That is one of my favorite passages of scripture, James is an incredible book. However, I don't think it was James (the son of Thunder) who wrote it. Most people would say it was James the half-brother of Jesus because the other James was most likely dead at the time. But, I could be wrong too. Thanks, take care.
Hi Mark...I see you have been blogging away while I was caught up in celebrations of 2 family weddings so firstly, great to read your thoughts and really good to read this blog right after watching The Gathering entitled The Priesthood. The sermon and your blog mesh well together and compliment eachother!
So, I guess I would immediately say that Love and Works of Love are to me not defined in their magnitude for me>Meaning Faith in Action or Works of Love are not measurable by how intense or hard they were to accomplish. In fact, the easier accomplished, the more the expression of Love, I believe.
I like to think of all this like great music or a good book, to draw on 2 subjects you have mentioned a few times. I believe most composers will tell you the song is mostly in their head before they scratch the notes down. Similarly, great storytellers find the feeling and then the words flow out of them.
So, I think Love and Faith and faith in action are intertwined.
Sincere Love is demonstrated by expressing that Love in actions. But the action does not have to be monumental, just sincere and though whatever it is may seem trivial to one person it may be huge to someone else!
Musicians and artists are very often never entirely plesed with the piece while others are in awe of it!
It is a bit late here when I came across your blog and had to toss in my two cents worth if only to thank you for your blog and making me think. Now I will toddle off to bed and God will add some new words to me that I will wish I had posted but He will have let me know that you inspired me, Mark and He will be pleased!
Blessing and I will be looking for your new posts as they come out.
Jan-Michael (Toronto, Canada)
PS Is there a way I can get an alert for new posts like I do with The Gathering Videos? Or maybe I just need to check back every couple of weeks.
PPS Hope I got a point or 2 across. If not, you did write a great piece and it got me thinking so thanks!
hahha so true! Thanks for the pointing that out! i think I was a little tired when I wrote this :-) I forgot! I'll be making the change now! Thanks for the reminder bro!! Though I don't remember the disciple James meeting his Maker so soon. The book is said to be the earliest of the New Testament (Between 40 and 50AD) but then again...I don't think I remember that being discussed in my bible classes, I was probably tired then too :-)
So, what about the questions at the end of the blog?
Jan-Micheal, thank you for your honesty and your compliments! I agree that showing love doesn't have to be monumental but chances are if it comes across as loving it'll be monumental regardless. I'm glad you get something from my ramblings! :-)
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