Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
James 2:1, “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.”
When James talks about faith in his Epistle, it is not in the same sense that Paul speaks of faith in Romans and Galatians.
In those Epistles, Paul is speaking of initial faith for initial justification.
Initial faith comes by hearing the gospel.
Through this faith we are saved and justified in a split second.
This initial experience of salvation is by grace and not of works (Eph. 2:8-9).
It is in this sense that faith is used in many of the passages in Romans and Galatians.
But the faith James is talking about is an already existing faith, an indwelling faith.
This faith dwells inside of us and needs to be stirred up (2 Tim. 1:5-6).
It is faith that can also be tested and tried to such an extent that it proves to you that your salvation experience was not just something emotional.
You can pass through trials and tribulations, counting it all joy.
This genuine faith passes through the trials and continues all the way to the judgment seat of Christ.
When genuine faith is tested, it always has works with it.
For example, James 2:1 tells us not to hold faith with partiality in our hearts.
How do you hold faith?
How does it dwell in you?
In which way do you possess faith?
Is it hypocritical?
or is it genuine?
James is talking about an existing faith that lives in us.
He is telling us not to hold the faith of our Lord Jesus with something incompatible with it.
So James is not talking about receiving faith but of holding faith in a way that is compatible with the Lord.
In this Epistle good works are very precious because they are the expansion, the outflowing, of faith and grace.
Until Tomorrow
With A Shepherd’s Love,
Pastor Jackson
THURSDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Marlon Cook
Amy Garner
Amy Garner’s Mom & Dad
Andrew Halevi & Daughter
Ashely Burn’s Sisters
Brandon’s Dad
Coly/Connor – Allison’s G’sons
Dan Haines
Darlene Wiggins
David Burnette
David Harrison – Riverside
Deanna Fowler
Denise Hulsey – Jordan’s G’mother
Donnie Butler’s Dad
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Easton Fielder
Ed Mays
Eric Ward
Freddie May’s Mom
George & Linda Alexander
James Burnette
James Garner’s Friend
Joanie/Jeanie Mom
Jodi Bateman
Joe Shelnutt
John Austin
June Cronan
June Cronan’s Sister
Kailey Bateman
Kathy Mabe
Kim McClain’s Mother
Krista Hilscher – Improving
Larry Barker
Lee Cronan
Lillanna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Linda Hodges’ Sister
Lonzo Christin
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary Sims
Marynell Ford
Maureen Brown
Michael Stanley
Miles Bradshaw
Pastor & Mrs. Driskell
Pat Chupp
Ricky Gipson
Rose Fuller – Rehab
Roseleigh Osborn
Sandra Graham
Scott Lanier
Soso Nzolo – 17 Yr. Old South African Pastor’s Daughter
Susan & Alexis Tesone
Tom Witcher