I know it has been forever since I have blogged, and by forever, I mean well over a year...but as I have been doing my personal devotionals, and studying God's Word, and praying lately, God has directed me back here...an outlet to share what God is doing in my life, and my prayer is that you will be challenged, and encouraged by it.
For the last several months, with our HS and MS students we have been studying the book of James, and this Sunday morning we will close out our 3 month study on James, and it has been incredibly challenging to me as I have studied James nearly everyday for 90+ days. The common theme God has shown me from this text is simply this: Faith without works is dead. True saving faith will be accompanied by works. Am I saying that we are saved by works? No, not at all. We are saved by grace alone, and its only through what Christ did on the cross that I am able to claim victory over Satan...however, once I claim that victory, there ought to be evidence of that victory in our lives!
We are not saved by our works...they are simply our response to our salvation. When we truly know what God has done for us, and understand the fullness of grace that is represented in the Gospel, our response ought to be to worship Him. We ought to want to produce fruit, to be like Christ, to love one another, to encourage one another, to pray for one another, and to lead others into that same relationship with Christ that we have entered into!
So let me ask you a question that God has asked me daily through my studying of the book of James...is your faith accompanied by works? Is there physical evidence of a saving relationship of Jesus Christ in your life? I challenge you to search your heart, search the scriptures, and truthfully answer that question!
If you haven't ever studied the book of James, I encourage you to do so. Read James everyday for 3 months, and see how God turns your relationship with Him upside down!
Be Blessed,
Toes.
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