Daily Devotional
Are You Responding to God by Faith?
“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
James 2:14-17
January 28, 2024
Ponder This
You are not saved by faith and works, but you are saved by faith that works. You are justified by faith alone, but the faith that justifies is never alone; it always has works. If your religion hasn’t changed your life, you’d better change your religion. When God does something in your heart and in your life, it will be seen. If you say, “Well, I’m trusting Him but I’m not going to make it known. I’m not going take any stand,” then you’re not really trusting Him.
Faith without works is dead. Walking down the aisle won’t save anybody, but what it indicates will save everybody. Jesus said, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38). You see, faith responds to the guidance of God. Faith is acting on what we know to be true. We faithfully obey. If you have Paul’s faith, you’ll have James’ works—they simply go together.
- What are some works that come because of faith?
- When have you struggled to live by faith? What makes this difficult?
Practice This
Read Genesis 22 and observe the ways Abraham displayed his faith through his works. Pray for God to grow your faith.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
