Give Your Very Best   Scripture Reading: James 2:19 - 21

“You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless? Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?”  

Sometimes people tend to have some questions in their minds or get confused when they compare the writings of Paul, which stressed that our salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross with the teachings in the book of James like these in today’s text focusing on the absolute necessity of good works in the life of the believer.

There is no need for us to be confused on this issue in any way, because there is absolutely no conflict in what the bible is teaching or any of the writers are saying on these issues. For as we read in vs. 19, faith is not simply a mental belief or confession, because even the demons believe and know that Jesus Christ is Lord, and they even tremble at His majesty – but they certainly are not and will never be saved.

The relationship between a living faith and good works is just like that of the vine and the branches. As the fruit is produced not by an external effort of the branch, but rather a living connection with the vine, so our good works are not those things that save us, but rather are a result, or even a testament to the fact to the truth that we are in Christ Jesus and have been born again by the Spirit of God.

It is out of this heart relationship with Christ to God our Father, in the Person and power of the Holy Spirit that our steps are ordered by the Lord. The things that we give of our heart, time, attention and focus to are the things that we love. If you truly love God and have a living relationship with Christ Jesus, you will, ‘Give Your Very Best’, even as Abraham offered Isaac, the child of the promise on the altar to God in obedience.

The result to such a willingness to obey? The resurrection life and power of Jesus Christ!  

Prayer Father I have believed in my heart and confessed with my mouth that Jesus Christ is my Lord. Help me to rise up and give You my very best with all that I have and all that I am, that I would bring You much glory through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.  

Memory Verse: Proverbs 3:9 “______ the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce.”