October 8                                      Ezek 25 - 27

BETWEEN FAITH AND WORKS

MEMORISE: 'Even so, faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone. For as the body without the spirit is dead, So faith without works is dead also.' (Jas 2:17, 26)
READ: James 2:17-26

'Even so, faith, if it hath not works is dead, so faith without works is dead also' (Jas 2:17, 26). In Hebrews 11:1, faith is defined as 'the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.' Faith has a partner, just as the body has a partner. The spirit is a partner for the body. Works is faith's partner. One cannot exist independently of the other; faith without works is dead, just as the body without the spirit is dead.

Each time you take a leap in faith, God looks out for the appropriate works to follow so that he can give you the blessing. The woman with the issue of blood suffered for several years. One day she heard of Jesus and believed that he could heal her. That was faith. But she did not stop there. He faith was followed by works. She left her home, looking for Jesus. That was works. She found a crowd surround him, yet she forced her way through to touch him. That was works. Some people might have abused her and called her names. She did not mind the insults: all she cared about was to touch Jesus and be healed and she achieved it.

Many Christians today fail to strike a reasonable balance between faith and works. Everything is either tilted to faith or to works. On this issue it should be a little to the right and a little to the left. A student who goes on a 30-day prayer and fasting spree at a prayer mountain, just to be successful in his examination may end up in failure if he does not study his books.

The worker who prays and fasts for promotion in his place of work without sitting down to work diligently will soon get his due reward: demotion. Many pray and have extended fasting periods in order to acquire anointing. That is faith. The works that should go with it is evangelism. It is when you go out that the Lord will work with you and the process miracles and signs you never expected will begin to follow you. Balance faith with works today.

ACTION POINT
In which area have you been biased?
Take step to balance faith with works.