We cannot but speak what we believe. In other words, what we do not speak (where there is opportunity) — we do not believe. “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20 KJV).
First, faith is only saving faith, if it is accompanied by works, where there is opportunity. “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” (James 2:14).
Second, faith is dead, if not accompanied by works, where there is opportunity. “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:17).
Third, faith is always looking to express itself with works. “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works” (James 2:18).
Fourth, faith understands the vanity or emptiness of claiming, “I believe,” without accompanied works. “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:20).
Fifth, faith is not destroyed but perfected by works. “Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?” (James 2:22).
Sixth, faith is not the sole condition of justification, unless we can remove the necessity of:
(a) Repentance and baptism, i.e., “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38),
(b) Forsaking all for Christ, i.e., “26 If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26-27, 33), and
(c) Confession from the heart and the mouth of Jesus as Lord, Master, and Boss, i.e., “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9 KJV).
Accordingly, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:24).
Seventh, faith does not allow for a spiritless body, any more than we would allow the deadness of a demonic spirit to qualify in inhabiting the body. “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26).
Father, grant us the courage and understanding to see the Foundation of Salvation and Justification as coming from Christ only, but not to be confused by the Terms and Conditions for Salvation, that we would engage in a fruitless and groundless attempt to establish salvation as only a claim of faith in Christ. Grant us fuller instruction, and preserve us from any form of self-trust as the foundation of our hope for eternal life. Give Your people understanding of the Salvation in Christ Jesus, as able to save them to the uttermost “that come unto God by Him [Christ]” (Hebrews 7:25). Lord Jesus, return quickly and deliver us. Amen.
We Need A Miracle 