VISIBLE FAITH

FAITH / believe = pistis / pisteuo x 14 DEEDS / action / do / did / does = ergon / erga x 12 BEHAVIOUR … doing positive good for the benefit of others

Romans 3:28 28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law. (Litt: works of the law)

Ephesians 2:8–9 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

James 2:14–26 14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

James 2:14–26 14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

James 2:14–26 14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?

17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

JOHN CALVIN: We are justified by faith alone, but faith that justifies is never alone We are not saved BY actions / deeds … we are saved FOR actions / deeds

18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Another reading suggests: Someone will say, “(Do) you have faith?” (My answer:) “I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

ACTIONS MAKE YOUR FAITH VISIBLE

19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.

23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?

26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Matthew 3:8 … John the baptiser 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Matthew 5:16 … Jesus 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Matthew 7:17 … Jesus 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. Romans 2:6 6 God “will give to each person according to what he has done.”

Romans 14:12 12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. 2 Corinthians 5:10 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

Matthew 25:40 40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Galatians 5:6 and 6:10 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. … 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Philippians 2:12–13 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence— continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Titus 3:8 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

1 John 3:17–18 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

Ephesians 2:8–10 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

ACTIONS MAKE YOUR FAITH VISIBLE AND CREDIBLE