Jenni's thoughts..

I have been doing some Bible studying and really just wanted to post my thoughts. 

James 2:14-26

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. (ESV)

Here James is comparing two different types of faith: genuine faith which leads to good works, and empty faith which is not faith at all. True faith is alive and backed up by works. False faith that has nothing to show for itself is dead.

In summary, both faith and works are important in salvation. However, believers are justified, or declared righteous before God, solely by faith. Jesus Christ is the only One who deserves credit for doing the work of salvation. Christians are saved by God's grace through faith alone.

Works, on the other hand, are the evidence of genuine salvation. They are the "proof in the pudding," so to speak. Good works demonstrate the truth of one's faith. In other words, works are the obvious, visible results of being justified by faith.

I read the above thoughts today and it resonated with me. 

Jesus doesn't judge us. He takes us as we are and asks us simply to include Him in our life. And believe that He died on the cross for our sins. 

No amount of things we do get us closer to Heaven!! Yes, it is important to try our best and let Jesus change us. 

But really, how far do we take it? We are only human we will mess up. And mistakes don't bring us further away from God. We simply need to repent. And continue to walk in His grace and mercy. 

And if you happen to read this and you don't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, simply call upon His name, confess that you are lost and allow Him to be a part of your life. Believe in Him. 

It is that simple.

It's all about JESUS. 

All JESUS, all the time. 

Let HIM change you!