Conversing the Kingdom: Real Faith

James 2:14-26

The whole book of James is about the two themes of faith and works. In the first chapter James warns us against doubt, which is the opposite of Faith (1:6). To doubt God’s goodness is to be double minded between God and the world. The whole letter then unpacks what the works of faith are to look like. Steadfast under trial (1:12), Quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger (1:19), doers of the word (1:22), to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world (1:27), to show no partiality (2:1), Show mercy (2:13). Faith is shown true by its works.

We grow in maturity through obedience to the perfect word of God (1:23-25). This is a two step process first we must hear the word (correctly) and then we must do the word (obedience). This is where Adam and Eve fell down in the garden. They were born in innocence and were called by the Lord to grow through obedience in faith. First Adam and Eve failed to correctly hear the word of the Lord and secondly they failed in obedience to follow the Lord’s Law. Jesus however as the second Adam was truly obedient to the father and as a result “increased in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52).

Dead faith is works-less. Dead faith is worthless. Dead faith is a sign of worldliness. Dead faith is a sign of double mindedness. Dead faith shows a deafness to the word of God. Dead faith shows a disobedience to the Word of God. Dead faith is going nowhere. A dead faith needs to be repented of. A lack of assurance (doubt) can be a sign of a lack of salvation. A live faith is the reverse of all these. Where an assurance of salvation enables steadfastness in times of trial with works, not the basis of Faith, but the necessary result thereof. Faith is completed by works (2:22) brought to full maturity through obedience. Can we do this in our own strength, by no means! As we look to Jesus we see that his life of obedience leading to maturity, like ours, can only be empowered by the Holy Spirit. In salvation our Spirit that was once dead is made alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:5) and so our faith is made alive in works (2:26)!

Conversing the Kingdom: Judgement in the End

Matthew 25.31-46

The end of this world is near and the Lord will be returning suddenly and without warning (Although there will be signs that the time is near) we must be prepared, on guard, and at the Father’s business. There will be tribulation and hardship and to stand in faithfulness will not be easy and many will fall away and turn against the elect, neighbours, friends and even family.

"Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" Acts 14:22b

As Christians we need to be aware that we live in a world that is hostile towards the gospel. It is only the in-breaking of the kingdom of God that stems the tide of sin. This world is in darkness and reacts against the light of Jesus in the life of a Christian. Jesus warns us that this world is coming to an end and that things are getting steadily worse not better and we should be aware to read the times and the seasons. As we await the return of Jesus we should be about the Fathers business, faithful with the Lord’s precious gospel treasure with which we have been entrusted. This gospel within our lives will bring about self-denial and contempt of all that is worldly; love of the brethren; and in word and deed good works in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. For His Glory, our Joy and the good of others.