Which Is It?

Which is the more important: faith or works?

Men have struggled with this question for centuries.

This question has even caused strife within the church.

Historically speaking, I know of at least one church that let this question result in a schism.

On one side, there were those that believed faith was the superior of the two.

They could point to verses like this to support their reasoning.

John 1:12 (NET) - But to all who have received him—those who believe in his name—he has given the right to become God’s children

The other side, not to be outdone, could point to verses like this in their defense.

James 2:17 (NET) - So also faith, if it does not have works, is dead being by itself.

People on each side insisted their view was the correct one.

Neither side was willing enough to see things from the other’s perspective.

Neither side wished to compromise.

A few attempted to reconcile the two.

They did this by stating that view of each was imperfect.

This, of course, did nothing to bring the two sides together.

Eventually, a schism occurred and the church fractured into two.

Each side went their own way.

Time went by and the distance between the two increased.

One of the churches eventually failed.

It made life rather difficult for the other before it did.

This concept of faith versus works still challenges some today.

For me, the concepts of faith and works are not in opposition.

Rather they complement each other.

They are like two sides of the same coin.

I believe that once a person has been genuinely justified by faith, then good works naturally follow.

The two go hand in hand.

Love is what makes this happen.

Scripture reminds us faith is important, but love is even greater.

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NET) - And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Love helps us to make our faith complete.

Love for God.

Love for our fellow man.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, June 3, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, June 10, 2016

Worry and Strife

People tend to worry.

We even tend to worry about things over which we have little or no control

We worry about the economy.

We worry about the outcome of elections.

We worry about war and the threat of terrorism.

Worry in and of itself accomplishes nothing.

Just worrying about the economy will not bring about prosperity.

Just worrying about an election will not guarantee your candidate will win.

Just worrying about a war or threat of terrorism will not bring about peace.

When you get down to it, worrying does only one thing.

In fact, it does it pretty effectively.

Worrying does help us to forget that God is in control.

Many things are not in our control, but scripture reminds us that Someone is always in control.

In matters of the economy, it reminds us of the widow who willingly gave her last two coins.

Mark 21:44 (NET) - For they all gave out of their wealth. But she, out of her poverty, put in what she had to live on, everything she had.

In matters of elections, it reminds us that Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

1 Timothy 6:15 (NET) - whose appearing the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, will reveal at the right time.

What about the lack of peace?

Scripture even has a reminder for us there.

John 14:27 (NET) - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage.

We would do well to remember these things when worry knocks on our door.

Whatever comes our way, scripture reminds us we do not face it alone.

Exodus 14:14 (NET) - The Lord will fight for you, and you can be still.

Worry, after all, is just a form of strife and scripture has a reminder for us there as well.

Psalm 46:10 (NET) - He says, “Stop your striving and recognize that I am God!

I will be exalted over the nations! I will be exalted over the earth!”

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, May 20, 2016.

I’ll be back here on Friday, May 27, 2016