The Work of Faith

Call to Prayer

Title: The Work of Faith

By: Daniel Peter

Date: 23.10.2023

Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
1 Thes.1:3 KJV

Reading through the books of Romans and James, you would think that both authors were taking different stands as it relates to salvation. For example, Apostle Paul would say “For by grace are ye saved through faith…. Not of works, lest any man should boast (Eph. 2:8-9)”, and James would say “‭‭‭‭Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead… Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works (James 2:17-18 NKJV)“. At first sight, both sound contradictory, but they agree.

When “works” is mentioned in the New Testament, we have to discern the contest of usage. When Apostle Paul said “… not by works (Eph. 2:9)“, he was talking about “the works of the law“, which is the effort of the flesh. Again, when James says “… Faith without works is dead (James 2:17)”, he was talking about the works of faith, not that of the law. For the example he used (Abraham), did not live under the law. So, Apostle Paul and James agreed, but they spoke from different contexts.

What is the work of faith? You may ask. The work of faith are actions we take because we believe. When Jesus Christ was asked about the works that they (the inquirers) should do, Jesus answered by saying: “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent. (John 6:29 NIV)”. Therefore, when the Bible said “we are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8), it was not inferring that there’s no work for us to do, but the works is a product of grace, making it evident that we believe. When Abraham attempted to sacrifice his son, it was because he believed in God. So his works were a direct consequence of His faith, yet it was not him doing the work, but grace. So, Abraham cannot acknowledge that he attained by works, but grace through faith, for it was God who enabled him to do the work.

The work of faith we do because we believe including walking in love and obedience to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer Point.

Let’s thank God for His word. Let’s ask Him to help us to do the works of faith and He should help us not to have confidence in the flesh but in Him.