Keep Reading !

“Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.” Romans 3:27

“Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works, when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.” James 2:21-26

I always find reading James alongside Romans is thought provoking. As a baby Christian, of course, I read the Bible from the beginning. By the time I got to Romans (having read through the Gospels) I found Paul’s statements rather definitive – until I reached James and found my first personal “inconsistency”. What I didn’t understand was whether it was faith or works that satisfied God for salvation. The answer came in Ephesians, of course:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

His Word is just so complete, we just need to keep reading it!

Know His Word. Take care. Your servant & friend in Christ, Darlene

PS: New: Billy and Michelle for RECOVERY. Ongoing Requests: Bill - unspoken request; Australians recovering from natural disasters ; encouragement for support workers still labouring. God’s hands on new USA political administration. Barb to find the new job God has for her; wisdom for doctors caring for Doris, Denny, Gary, Michael, David & Adrian. Randy’s family moving to Canada and his ministry. New work projects for me. Amazing ways God is using the WeakDay Devotions lately!