by Glendora Matthews
James 2:14-16 NKJV (New King James Version)“Faith Without Works Is Dead” 14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
Based on the scripture above, what would you do? First, let us address Faith. Christian faith or biblical faith is trust, confidence, assurance, and belief in God. For Christians this would be the sovereign God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Christians believe God made a covenant with all three of these men. What is a biblical covenant? In the bible God made covenants with men, that He held them to.
Abraham – Genesis 12: 1-3 1“
Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.3 I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Isaac – Genesis 26: 1-5
1There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar.2 Then the Lord appeared to him and said: “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you. 3 Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father.
Jacob – Genesis 28: 14-15 14 Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.”
All three of these men had faith in their God, even though they did not fully understand at the time, the covenants were created. They had trust, confidence, assurance, and belief in their Sovereign God.
Christians, because of their faith believe in the covenants listed above. Thru Abraham’s seed a great nation was born, Isaac dwelled in the land God showed him and was blessed; and the land was given to Isaac and his descendants. God promised Jacob his des c e n d a n t s shall be as the dust of the earth and thru his seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.
For decades Christians have had opposing viewpoints over politics in a Christian’s life. Should Christians vote, run for office, or participate in the voting process as poll watchers, poll workers?
Now, back to James 2:14- 16 NKJV (New King James Version) “Faith Without Works Is Dead” What would you do for the person who is naked, destitute having nothing to eat? Next issue will connect James 2:14-16, as to why Christians should vote and participate in the voting process.