Do you sometimes wonder whether works are necessary now that we are under grace? Please understand that grace means we no longer have to perform according to the Law to get God to bless us or show us favor. But we must not get confused between the works of the Law and the works of faith. True faith in God will always produce an action. James 2:14 says, “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?” In order to truly understand how to use a scripture in your life you have to understand it in context.

James chapter 2:15-16 says, “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” In context, James is saying that it is just as useless to ONLY speak faith as it is to walk up to someone who is destitute and naked and say BE CLOTHED! Both are useless without a corresponding action. Words alone will not put clothes on someone if it is not followed up by an action produced out of faith. It takes more than words to solve physical needs. That’s not to say that words are not important. They most definitely are. It is a spiritual law that you will have what you say. 

This teaching is not to compel you to take action and call it a work of faith. For example, if an individual who is visually impaired decides to take off his or her glasses and go driving at night, that person is going to have a disastrous outcome. The works described in this teaching are the actions that your faith will automatically produce when you truly believe. The more you develop in faith, the more faith actions you will produce. You won’t have to conjure up anything and call it a work of faith. Just be patient, and spend time developing your faith by studying the Word of God. Also, be sensitive to what the Holy Spirit speaks to you. The right action that comes from true faith in what you are believing God for (according to His Word) will be birthed. 

Prayer

Lord, I declare right now by grace through faith that I know what to do this week even when it seems like I don’t know what to do. I yield myself to Your guidance and I produce right actions in all situations and at all times. I am a faith person and a Believer. I trust in what Your grace has provided for me, and I know that Your provision is always more than enough.

 

Scriptures to meditate on:

James 2:14 -16

Romans 3:28

Ephesians 2:8

Romans 4:2, 3