verse of the day

Tuesday, 14 December 2021

Evidence. (2) ( Matthew 25 v 31 - 46 )

Last time we considered the fact that faith alone in Christ and His finished work saves a person,just simple faith.A vast amount of scripture clearly teaches that.But when one goes to book of James it appears at first glance to teach something different.Maybe that's why Martin Luther called it a book of straw,maybe,so let us consider  this.I believe James is stressing the working out of our faith,in other words the evidence that we are Christians ,it is about showing we are Christians,by obedience 1 v 23, by the way we speak 1v 26,/3 v by not being discriminate  2 v1- 4. by good works, by being merciful 2 v 13.,by not quarreling and fighting 4 v1,by praying in keeping with Gods will, 4 v 3, and so on. What James is stressing our faith must be manifest in our lives,it is evidence ,that we are Christians.William Hendriksen writes that during our life time we should show evidence of our faith in the Lord Jesus.  The reality of those who profess to be Christians,will be the good deeds they have carried out in their life  time,.these deeds include,works of love,mercy, and generosity (WH) Yes it boils down to that, again as WH says,''In your daily life and conduct, in what are often called 'the little things in life',you have furnished proof that you are called Christ disciples'. There will be those who protest about being rejected because,they have prophesied in Jesus name,done mighty works,in Christ name. WH  writes,'For those who boast about such''great accomplishments'', there is no room.( Matthew 7 v22-23 )

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