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 28So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.

(Litt: works of the law)

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

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

15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If 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?

15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If 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?

15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If 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?17In 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

18But 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

19You believe that there is one God. Good!

Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

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

23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.

24You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

25In 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?

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

Matthew 3:8 … John the baptiser8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

Matthew 5:16 … Jesus 16In 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 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

Romans 2:6 6God “will give to each person according to what he has done.”

Romans 14:12 12So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

2 Corinthians 5:10 10For 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 6:106For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. … 10Therefore, 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 12Therefore, 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, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Titus 3:8 8This 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 17If 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? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

Ephesians 2:8–10 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For 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