Bible Readings — Bible Questions Answered

Genuine Faith and Its Fruits

What challenge does the apostle James make as to the evidence that one has genuine faith? BR-ASI9 376.5

“Shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” James 2:18. BR-ASI9 376.6

How did Abraham show that he had perfect faith in God? BR-ASI9 376.7

“Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?” James 2:21, 22. BR-ASI9 376.8

How necessary are works in maintaining living faith? BR-ASI9 376.9

“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? . . . For as the body without the spirit [margin, “breath”] is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:20-26. BR-ASI9 376.10

Note.—The apostle was not here arguing for justification or salvation by faith and works, but for a living faith—a faith that works. BR-ASI9 376.11

“There are two errors against which the children of God—particularly those who have just come to trust in His grace—especially need to guard. The first . . . is that of looking to their own works, trusting to anything they can do, to bring themselves into harmony with God. He who is trying to become holy by his own works in keeping the law, is attempting an impossibility. All that man can do without Christ is polluted with selfishness and sin. It is the grace of Christ alone, through faith, that can make us holy. The opposite and no less dangerous error is, that belief in Christ releases men from keeping the law of God; that since by faith alone we become partakers of the grace of Christ, our works have nothing to do with our redemption. . . . Obedience—the service and allegiance of love—is the true sign of discipleship. . . . Instead of releasing man from obedience, it is faith, and faith only, that makes us partakers of the grace of Christ, which enables us to render obedience. We do not earn salvation by our obedience; for salvation is the free gift of God, to be received by faith. But obedience is the fruit of faith. . . . That so-called faith in Christ which professes to release men from the obligation of obedience to God, is not faith, but presumption.”—Steps to Christ, pp. 64-66. BR-ASI9 376.12

Says Luther: “If it is He alone that taketh away our sins, it cannot be ourselves and our own works. But good works follow redemption, as the fruit grows on the tree.”—Quoted in Merle d’Aubigne, History of the Reformation, book 2, chap. 6. BR-ASI9 377.1

What does the hope of salvation lead one to do? BR-ASI9 377.2

“And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” 1 John 3:3. BR-ASI9 377.3

Upon what condition are we made partakers of Christ? BR-ASI9 377.4

“For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.” Hebrews 3:14. BR-ASI9 377.5