Title: Living Faith (James 02:14-26)
Content James 2 emphasizes that the believer's faith must be practiced (James 2:26).
<Body>
1. Types of faith (14-17) 1) There is a dead faith--the one without works (2:17)
(1) No profit (14) (2) No salvation (14) (3) Faith in words (15-16)--‘Make it hot’ ‘Make it full’ (4) It is impossible to prove that you have faith No (18)--Can't show faith
2) False faith = an artificial act of faith (1 Timothy 1:5)
(1 Timothy 1:5) The purpose of vigilance is love, with a pure heart, a good conscience, and unfeigned faith.”
2. There is a belief that demons have (18-19) 1) It is a faith that is acknowledged only through knowledge.
(1) Believe that there is one God (18) (2) Believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Mark 3:11, 5:7) (Mark 3:11) He fell on his face and cried out before him, saying, "You are the Son of God."
2) However, demons do not believe in God's salvation.
(1) It is an intellectual faith.
(2) There is also an emotional expression.
(3) However, demons do not have a willful determination to trust Jesus Christ.
3) There is perfect faith (20-26).
(1) Abraham's faith (21-26)
a. We testified that we have faith by our works (21-23) (Genesis 17:17-18, 22:1-13, Romans 4:1-2 3, Hebrews 11:18-19) b. Faith comes from works and We were together (22) c. We perfected our faith through works (22) d. We were called God's friend (23-24)
(2) Rahab's faith (25-26) (Joshua 2:9)
(1) They believed in the sovereignty of God (Joshua 2:9) (Joshua 2:9) “I know that the Lord has given you this land. We fear you very much, and all the people of this land are before you. Gossip melts."
(2) They believed that the victory and defeat of war belonged to God (Joshua 2:10) (Joshua 2:10) “This is because the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and you We have heard of what he did to the two kings of men, Sihon and Og, to annihilate them.” They had already hid the two of them, and he said, "Surely they came to me, but I did not know where they came from." (4) I believed in God's truthfulness.
(5) I believed in the Lord the Redeemer (Joshua 2:21) (Jos 2:21) Rahab said, “I will do as you have said.” So she let them go, and tied a red cord to the window.”
<Example> The century-old painter Dore lost his passport while traveling in southern Europe. When he reached the border, a government official stopped him. Then Dore said to the official, "I have lost my passport. But I am Dore, the painter you know well. Please let me through." Then the official answered immediately. "Sir, no. A lot of people introduce themselves as some celebrity, but we never let it go." The more earnestly Dore asked for, the more stubborn the management became. Finally, the official spoke. "Okay, if you're really Dore, please draw a picture for me with this pencil." Dore picked up a pencil and looked for a while at the majestic mountains and peaceful valleys in the distance before starting to draw.
Then the manager called out. "You can go. Now I know for sure that you are a real idiot. No one else can draw like this." Dear friends! Look at your life and what you do. Are you reliving the life of Christ Do your works testify of Him Can people know that you belong to Jesus
<Conclusion>
In faith, it is not divided into belief or works, it is to have both. We must have thoughts and actions at the same time, and we must make efforts at the same time as prayer.
We must truly help our neighbors and blossom our faith through good deeds. This is the supreme law of love.