Questions
Is there something in the Bible that you are looking for answers about? Trying to make sense of Biblical principles in your own life?
Got a question? Ask. You know the saying – “the only dumb question is the unasked one.”
Comments
Is there something in the Bible that you are looking for answers about? Trying to make sense of Biblical principles in your own life?
Got a question? Ask. You know the saying – “the only dumb question is the unasked one.”
The Spirit has really been moving in the youth group lately. What is something that has impacted you?
what has impacted me the most lately is that God is showing me that I am not alone. He is showing me that I have shuch a supportive family in the SAF youth
You certainly are not alone, Elizabeth. You are a big part of the support at SAF. =)
My question has to do with James 2:14-26 and then Ephesians 2:8-9
James 2:24 ~ You see that person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
Ephesians 2:8-9 ~ For it is by Grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– not by works, so that no one can boast.
So, my question is what’s the difference between works and deeds?
Tessa – first of all, I apologize for answering this question so late – I didn’t realize that comments were going to need to be approved, and I wasn’t looking in the right place. =)
and since you are just getting to know me… thought I’d let you know that Aunt Ruth is my “other” name. This is Mrs Gopp.
Works and deeds are essentially the same thing – I’m going to answer this as if you meant to ask about faith vs works/deed. If I’m totally off base, then please tell me so!
When a person claims to have faith in God, but is all talk, and there is no real change in how they act and the things they do, then do you really think they mean what they say? If someone truly has faith in God, faith in God’s Son Jesus Christ, then they should want to live as the Bible instructs, and therefore there should be visible evidence of their belief.
On the other hand, there may be people who “live” as if they are believers, but have never professed that belief – never acknowledged Jesus as Savior and accepted the free gift of salvation He offers to us because of His death on the cross and resurrection. A person can appear to be “good”, but we know from the passage in Ephesians 2:8-9 that it is not our “good works” that gets us to heaven, but rather our faith in God’s grace.
And it’s not just “knowing” that there is a God, or that Jesus died on the cross – it’s accepting the fact that we are all sinners, saved by grace, saved by Christ who took our punishment for our sins on the cross. After all, the demons “know” who Jesus is – yet they do not put their faith in Him, nor do they obey Him.
When a person has truly accepted Christ as their Savior, their life should be changed. Being obedient to God’s Word shows that our faith is real. Good deeds, or works, comes from an obedient heart, one who desires to follow God.