James 2:18-24

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. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 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. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. - James 2:18-24

Dear Jesus, 

I know that I am saved by faith alone in you.  Nothing I could do would ever help save me.  But your brother, James, wrote these words to teach me that faith alone that saves, is never alone.  It always shows itself strong by the works it does.  Abraham believed your promise and so when you asked him to sacrifice his son he believed you would raise him from the dead.  Therefore, he trudged up that mountain with every intention of sacrificing him.  I believe your promises too.  Help me to live like I do, to avoid sins that tempt me, to make sacrifices that cost me, to speak your name that saves others.  I want my life to match my confession.  Only you can work that marvel through me.  I need your Holy Spirit to believe and to do what you want.  

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson 

When you believe that Christ has made you his own, your life will be filled with good fruit, even in the darkest moment.