DO YOU HAVE A LIVING FAITH?
OUR PRAYER IS FOR YOU TO WATCH THESE VIDEOS ...
THEY COULD VERY WELL OPEN YOUR EYES TO HOW SALVATION REALLY WORKS.
ALL OF THOSE WHO BOUGHT INTO THE 'LEFT BEHIND' BOOKS AND MOVIES...
WE'RE TAUGHT IN THOSE MOVIES AND BOOKS THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT THE BIBLE REALLY TEACHES.
IF YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN GET INTO THE HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF GOD BY YOUR FAITH ALONE...
NO BAPTISM AND NO WORKS...
WE BEG YOU TO WATCH THESE VIDEO RIGHT NOW!
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"Haven't You Heard That
Faith Without Works Is A Dead Faith?"
Here is the Answer: The book of James tells us, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26). Faith without works is a dead faith because the lack of works (also known as acts of obedience) reveals an unchanged life or a spiritually rebellious or dead heart. There are many verses that say that true saving faith will result in a life that has been transformed, because faith is demonstrated by the works we do. You know the old saying... Action speaks louder than words? How we live, what we do, how we dress, who we associate with, what we say and where we go, and what we don't, all reveals what we believe and proves to 'God and everyone' that the faith we profess to have is a living faith.
Now let's look at James 2:14–26 which is sometimes taken out of context in an attempt to create a works-based only system of righteousness, but that is contrary to many other passages of Scripture. James is not saying that our works alone make us righteous before God but that real saving faith is demonstrated by our good works, in our personal individual changes that make us more like Christ, and our works of benevolence and love to others. Works alone are not the cause of salvation; works are the evidence of salvation. True faith in combined with obedience to Christ is what leads to salvation. Either one alone will not get you in the front door! The person who claims to be a Christian but lives in willful disobedience to Christ may be ignorant to the fact that they have a false or dead faith and is not really saved. Paul basically says the same thing in 1 Corinthians 6:9–10.
James contrasts two different types of faith—true faith that saves and false faith that is dead.
Many profess to be Christians, but their lives and priorities indicate otherwise. Jesus put it this way: “By their fruits you will know them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers’” (Matthew 7:16–23).
If you don't believe that then you need to know that in Mark 12:24 "Jesus answered them; isn't this because you're mistaken not knowing the scriptures or the power of God?"
Notice that the message about faith by Jesus is the same as the message by James. Obedience to God is the only mark of true saving faith. James uses the examples of Abraham and Rahab to illustrate the obedience that accompanies salvation. Simply saying we believe in Jesus does not save us, nor does religious service. What saves us is the Holy Spirit’s regeneration of our hearts, the desire to do His will, especially when His is counter to ours, and that regeneration will invariably be seen in a life of faith featuring ongoing obedience to the will of God.
Misunderstanding the relationship of faith coupled with works comes from not understanding what the Bible teaches about salvation. There are really two errors in regards to works and faith ate connected. The first error is “the easy road to salvation,” the teaching that, as long as a person prayed the 'Sinners Prayer', which by the way is not biblical as no one in the Bible ever said a prayer even resembling that, or said, “I believe in Jesus,” or just called out His name at some point in his life, then he is saved, no matter what. So a person who, as a child, raised his hand in a church service is considered saved, even though he has never shown any desire to walk with God since and is, in fact, living in blatant sin. This teaching is dangerous and deceptive. This allows various ungodly lifestyles to be excused: a man may be an unrepentant adulterer, liar, or bank robber, but he’s saved; he’s just “carnal.” Yet, as we can see in James 2, an empty profession of faith—one that does not result in a life of obedience to Christ—is in reality a dead faith that cannot save.
The other error in regards to works and faith is to attempt to make works alone what justifies us before God. The mixture of works and faith is absolutely necessary for salvation and is exactly what Scripture teaches. James 2:26 says, “Faith without works is dead.” Revelation 20:13 says, "The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done." Then look at the simplicity of Jesus words in John 14:15, "If you love me, keep my commandments." Then there is this warning from Him in John 6:28-29 says, "He who rejects me, and doesn’t receive my sayings, has one who judges him. The word that I spoke, the same will judge him in the last day." There is no conflict between these passages. We are justified by grace through faith, and the natural result of faith in the heart is works that all can see. The works that follow salvation shows how strong your faith is to God. You become righteous just as He is righteous. Acts of obedience, good works, simply flow from the regenerated heart as naturally as water flows from a spring.
Salvation is a sovereign act of God whereby an unregenerate sinner has obediently followed the word of God and has been fully immersed in baptism, which is the “washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” poured out on him (Titus 3:5), thereby causing him to be born again (John 3:3). When this happens, God gives the forgiven sinner a new heart and puts a new spirit within him (Ezekiel 36:26). God removes his sin-hardened heart of stone and fills him with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit then causes the saved person to walk in obedience to God’s Word (Ezekiel 36:26–27).
Faith without works is dead because it reveals a heart that has not been transformed by God. When we have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, our lives will demonstrate that new life. Our works will be characterized by obedience to God. Unseen faith will become seen by the production of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives (Galatians 5:22). Christians belong to Christ, the Good Shepherd. As His sheep we hear His voice and follow Him (John 10:26–30).
Faith without works is dead because faith results in that person becoming a new creation, not one who falls into repetition of the same old patterns of sinful behavior. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” You must follow the Bible... not you pastor, not your family or friends...
Faith without works is dead because it comes from a heart that has not been regenerated by God. Empty professions of faith by one who has not become the temple of Christ have no power to change lives. Those who pay lip service to faith but who do not possess the Spirit who will aid and lead the new child to grow in Christ, will hear Christ Himself say to them,
“I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers” (Matthew 7:23).
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Test Yourself
2 Corinthians 13:3-5 3 'since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him in our dealing with you'. 5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-unless, of course, you fail the test?'
Lamentations 3:40 'Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD'.
Galatians 6:4 'Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else'.
Philippians 2:12-16 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation." Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
Do You Obey God's 'House Rules'?
1 John 2:5 demands His followers to be accountable; "But whoso keeps his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him".
In Matthew 5:33-37 we are commanded; "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the LORD the vows you have made.' 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.1 Corinthians 16:13-14 says; 13 "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love".
I heard about a writer that he asks participants in his seminars to agree to a list of 15 'house rules' - be on time, sit in a different chair after every break, no alcoholic beverages until the training is over, and others. He makes them sign a form in their workbook that says, "I agree to keep all these guidelines and house rules." On the morning of the third day, he asks everyone who has broken one of the ground rules to stand up. Inevitably over half of the class always stands. "What becomes apparent," he writes, "is how casually we give our word - and then how just as casually we break it."
Another author and professional speaker, wrote; "Character is the ability to carry out a good resolution, long after the excitement of the moment has passed." Honoring your commitments is part of your character. It's a quality that attracts people to you and enhances your relationships and opportunities. Failing to honor your commitments will tarnish your image and have a negative effect on your reputation. It can create a barrier to personal achievement and erect a roadblock against success. By honoring your commitments you create a strong foundation that will support you and your endeavors. As a result you will be recognized as a person of integrity and character - someone that others can trust. It is said "Your life works to the degree you keep your agreements."
Honoring commitments impacts all dimensions of life. Let me ask: Do you honor commitments you make to your team - to show up for them - even in tough or uncomfortable situations? Do you honor the commitments you make to your family and friends? Do you keep the promises you make to them? Do you honor commitments you make to yourself? Now be totally honest on this next one.... Do you honor the commitments you have made to God?
The people of Judah, with the priests leading the way, had failed to keep their covenant agreement with God multiple times. They treated God with disrespect, dishonoring His name, disobeying His demands, breaking His commandments. They treated sacred things as common. They introduced common and demonic things into their worship to God as if those things were sacred. They turned away from God's 'House Rules', disobeying His commandments. With the most egregious display of dishonor, some men divorced their Jewish wives, breaking their vows in order to marry pagan women.
Malachi provided a stern rebuke. He presented several reasons why the Jewish people were to honor their commitments. The majority of Christians and congregations today would do well to follow suit.
2 Corinthians 13:3-5 3 'since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him in our dealing with you'. 5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you-unless, of course, you fail the test?'
Lamentations 3:40 'Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD'.
Galatians 6:4 'Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else'.
Philippians 2:12-16 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation." Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
Do You Obey God's 'House Rules'?
1 John 2:5 demands His followers to be accountable; "But whoso keeps his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him".
In Matthew 5:33-37 we are commanded; "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the LORD the vows you have made.' 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 All you need to say is simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.1 Corinthians 16:13-14 says; 13 "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love".
I heard about a writer that he asks participants in his seminars to agree to a list of 15 'house rules' - be on time, sit in a different chair after every break, no alcoholic beverages until the training is over, and others. He makes them sign a form in their workbook that says, "I agree to keep all these guidelines and house rules." On the morning of the third day, he asks everyone who has broken one of the ground rules to stand up. Inevitably over half of the class always stands. "What becomes apparent," he writes, "is how casually we give our word - and then how just as casually we break it."
Another author and professional speaker, wrote; "Character is the ability to carry out a good resolution, long after the excitement of the moment has passed." Honoring your commitments is part of your character. It's a quality that attracts people to you and enhances your relationships and opportunities. Failing to honor your commitments will tarnish your image and have a negative effect on your reputation. It can create a barrier to personal achievement and erect a roadblock against success. By honoring your commitments you create a strong foundation that will support you and your endeavors. As a result you will be recognized as a person of integrity and character - someone that others can trust. It is said "Your life works to the degree you keep your agreements."
Honoring commitments impacts all dimensions of life. Let me ask: Do you honor commitments you make to your team - to show up for them - even in tough or uncomfortable situations? Do you honor the commitments you make to your family and friends? Do you keep the promises you make to them? Do you honor commitments you make to yourself? Now be totally honest on this next one.... Do you honor the commitments you have made to God?
The people of Judah, with the priests leading the way, had failed to keep their covenant agreement with God multiple times. They treated God with disrespect, dishonoring His name, disobeying His demands, breaking His commandments. They treated sacred things as common. They introduced common and demonic things into their worship to God as if those things were sacred. They turned away from God's 'House Rules', disobeying His commandments. With the most egregious display of dishonor, some men divorced their Jewish wives, breaking their vows in order to marry pagan women.
Malachi provided a stern rebuke. He presented several reasons why the Jewish people were to honor their commitments. The majority of Christians and congregations today would do well to follow suit.
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Do You Know the Downside?
Malachi does not sugarcoat the situation and you will not find any sugarcoating here either. He goes right for the jugular. He reminds his hearers that if they fail to keep their commitments, God will curse them. "'If you don't listen, and if you don't take it to heart to honor My name,' says Yahweh of Hosts, 'I will send a curse among you, and I will curse your blessings. In fact, I have already begun to curse them because you are not taking it to heart'" (Mal. 2:2). READ THAT AGAIN AND TAKE IT TO HEART!
The heart is the command center of a person's life, where we collect and consider knowledge, where we make decisions and plans that determine the direction of our lives. we each have free will but has your will led you down that narrow path to the narrow gate or have you fallen off the promised path and onto the wide one that leads to destruction? This is the moment, today is the day of salvation, when we must determine to honor our commitments, to keep our promises, or admit that we have only been playing like Christians and want actually be in the world and not follow the restrictions and commandments of God any more.
The warning is clear: Failing to honor your commitments will damage your personal testimony, impact your success in life, and strain your relationship with others, especially God, to the point that He will wash His hands of you if you do not honestly repent.
Malachi does not sugarcoat the situation and you will not find any sugarcoating here either. He goes right for the jugular. He reminds his hearers that if they fail to keep their commitments, God will curse them. "'If you don't listen, and if you don't take it to heart to honor My name,' says Yahweh of Hosts, 'I will send a curse among you, and I will curse your blessings. In fact, I have already begun to curse them because you are not taking it to heart'" (Mal. 2:2). READ THAT AGAIN AND TAKE IT TO HEART!
The heart is the command center of a person's life, where we collect and consider knowledge, where we make decisions and plans that determine the direction of our lives. we each have free will but has your will led you down that narrow path to the narrow gate or have you fallen off the promised path and onto the wide one that leads to destruction? This is the moment, today is the day of salvation, when we must determine to honor our commitments, to keep our promises, or admit that we have only been playing like Christians and want actually be in the world and not follow the restrictions and commandments of God any more.
The warning is clear: Failing to honor your commitments will damage your personal testimony, impact your success in life, and strain your relationship with others, especially God, to the point that He will wash His hands of you if you do not honestly repent.
Do You Want the Benefits?
Malachi provided several spiritual benefits to honoring commitments with God. He wrote, "My covenant with Him was one of life and peace, and I gave these to Him; it called for reverence, and He revered Me and stood in awe of My name" (Mal. 2:5). Life and peace was the Lord's covenant promise. Life speaks of a qualitative, satisfying life known only to those who are recipients of God's favor. Peace is more than a quiet soul, but also welfare of every kind. This peace is of mind and spirit... whether or not the surroundings reflect it.
When a person honors their spiritual and personal commitments they reach out into an unpredictable future and make one thing predictable: they will be there, they will follow through, and they will be true to their word. With one simple commitment, a person creates an island of certainty in a sea of uncertainty. When you honor your commitments you take a hand in creating your own future. And that is a very good thing, a healthy thing.
Are You Being a Hearer and Not a Doer, Again?
The priests of Malachi's time as well as 95% of church leaders today have failed in their responsibility to teach the people to follow the Commands of God then, of Christ now, thus the New Covenant. The majority of people calling themselves Christians in turn have failed to revere God, receive His Word, obey His Son and follow His commandments, and thereby fail to live distinctly from their non-believing neighbors. The result was and is that they have disregarded God's standard. They have trampled on the commandments, as shown in the reverence and sanctimony concerning marriage.
Five times in this passage book of Malachi the author used the word 'faithless'. Some translations use the phrase "breaking faith" or "deal treacherously." Simply speaking, they did not honor their commitments. They failed to keep their promises. They broke their vows as so many followers have in this day and age.
The word faithless was once thought of as the idea of pillaging something intended to remain protected and is tied very closely to another word that is used in this section - covenant (v. 10, 14). A covenant was a solemn and binding mutual agreement between two parties. When one party failed to fulfill his conventional obligation, the covenant was said to be "broken" in that the other party was no longer obligated to fulfill his obligations. The Jews had broken that agreement, the 'House Rules', as have so many today. God no longer had to or will fulfill His side of the obligation.
The Jewish men had violated the covenant agreement with their wives (v. 10). They had failed to keep the commitment to their spouses. But this was only a repercussion of the larger issue stated in verse 8: "'You, on the other hand, have turned from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have violated the covenant of Levi,' says the LORD of Hosts" (Mal. 3:8). The word corrupted means 'to damage something as to render it useless'.
Many a marriage, friendship, or business partnership has been rendered useless because one person failed to honor a commitment.
Do You Establish Boundaries?
Malachi provided some needed action steps: "So watch yourselves carefully, and do not act treacherously against the wife of your youth . . . Therefore, watch yourselves carefully, and do not act treacherously" (Mal. 2:15-16). The word watch means "to hedge with thorns" or "to protect by attending to." He was speaking to marriage, saying there are some things we can do to promote and protect our marriages. But the principle also applies to 'all' of our commitments.
Here are a few boundaries to consider erecting to protect the commitments you make:
You can be like that, I know, because I've found a man like that. The only reason I can live my life like that is because the man Jesus first loved me. The only resource I have to draw upon are the resources He gives me. Mirrored in my relationships here you can see the faithful love of God for me."
When we honor our commitments to God, we are in a small way... like Jesus... faithful to our Father.
You must let your yea be yea and your nay be nay (Matthew 5:37). Covenant breakers are liars. Liars have no part in the Kingdom of God. God does not see any difference between a little white lie, a great big black lie, or when you break your word.
'House Rules' stand, even when we crumble. Repent! Christ bought you with a price... be sold out for Him!
Malachi provided several spiritual benefits to honoring commitments with God. He wrote, "My covenant with Him was one of life and peace, and I gave these to Him; it called for reverence, and He revered Me and stood in awe of My name" (Mal. 2:5). Life and peace was the Lord's covenant promise. Life speaks of a qualitative, satisfying life known only to those who are recipients of God's favor. Peace is more than a quiet soul, but also welfare of every kind. This peace is of mind and spirit... whether or not the surroundings reflect it.
When a person honors their spiritual and personal commitments they reach out into an unpredictable future and make one thing predictable: they will be there, they will follow through, and they will be true to their word. With one simple commitment, a person creates an island of certainty in a sea of uncertainty. When you honor your commitments you take a hand in creating your own future. And that is a very good thing, a healthy thing.
Are You Being a Hearer and Not a Doer, Again?
The priests of Malachi's time as well as 95% of church leaders today have failed in their responsibility to teach the people to follow the Commands of God then, of Christ now, thus the New Covenant. The majority of people calling themselves Christians in turn have failed to revere God, receive His Word, obey His Son and follow His commandments, and thereby fail to live distinctly from their non-believing neighbors. The result was and is that they have disregarded God's standard. They have trampled on the commandments, as shown in the reverence and sanctimony concerning marriage.
Five times in this passage book of Malachi the author used the word 'faithless'. Some translations use the phrase "breaking faith" or "deal treacherously." Simply speaking, they did not honor their commitments. They failed to keep their promises. They broke their vows as so many followers have in this day and age.
The word faithless was once thought of as the idea of pillaging something intended to remain protected and is tied very closely to another word that is used in this section - covenant (v. 10, 14). A covenant was a solemn and binding mutual agreement between two parties. When one party failed to fulfill his conventional obligation, the covenant was said to be "broken" in that the other party was no longer obligated to fulfill his obligations. The Jews had broken that agreement, the 'House Rules', as have so many today. God no longer had to or will fulfill His side of the obligation.
The Jewish men had violated the covenant agreement with their wives (v. 10). They had failed to keep the commitment to their spouses. But this was only a repercussion of the larger issue stated in verse 8: "'You, on the other hand, have turned from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have violated the covenant of Levi,' says the LORD of Hosts" (Mal. 3:8). The word corrupted means 'to damage something as to render it useless'.
Many a marriage, friendship, or business partnership has been rendered useless because one person failed to honor a commitment.
Do You Establish Boundaries?
Malachi provided some needed action steps: "So watch yourselves carefully, and do not act treacherously against the wife of your youth . . . Therefore, watch yourselves carefully, and do not act treacherously" (Mal. 2:15-16). The word watch means "to hedge with thorns" or "to protect by attending to." He was speaking to marriage, saying there are some things we can do to promote and protect our marriages. But the principle also applies to 'all' of our commitments.
Here are a few boundaries to consider erecting to protect the commitments you make:
- I alone, with the help of the Holy Spirit, am responsible for my life. I will stop blaming, rationalizing, and excusing, and grumbling about my failure to honor any of my commitments.
- I can't do everything, but God can, so it's okay to say no.
- I will speak with purpose, and give glory to God.
- I will only make commitments, large and small, that I intend to keep, from this day forth.
- I will write down all the agreements I make, as a personal reminder.
- I will clear up any broken agreements, within my power, at the first opportunity.
- I will follow through on the commitments I have made even though it may require time, sacrifice, work, and cost.
You can be like that, I know, because I've found a man like that. The only reason I can live my life like that is because the man Jesus first loved me. The only resource I have to draw upon are the resources He gives me. Mirrored in my relationships here you can see the faithful love of God for me."
When we honor our commitments to God, we are in a small way... like Jesus... faithful to our Father.
You must let your yea be yea and your nay be nay (Matthew 5:37). Covenant breakers are liars. Liars have no part in the Kingdom of God. God does not see any difference between a little white lie, a great big black lie, or when you break your word.
'House Rules' stand, even when we crumble. Repent! Christ bought you with a price... be sold out for Him!