James 2:21-26

Dear Brethren,

It is a Bible fact that a person cannot be saved without faith. However, is a person saved by faith only, as many within the religious world teach? According to the Bible, salvation or justification comes by faith and works. To say that works are not necessary to being saved is to contradict the teachings of the Bible. (Please understand that the works to which the Bible refers is faithful obedience to the Word of God.)

Quite often, this discussion is centered on becoming a Christian. However, once a person becomes a child of God, he must continue his life of faith and works. He must continue to believe and obey the Word of God. Jesus told His disciples, "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven." (Matthew 7:21, NKJV) It would be just as wrong for a Christian to live his life claiming faith, but not obeying God's Word as it would be to teach that obedient works are not necessary to being saved. Truly faith and works are necessary to being justified. It is James who wrote, "You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only." This teaching fits the pattern taught by Jesus Christ when He said to His apostles, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:15-16, NKJV)

Here is James 2:21-26 presented for your consideration.

James 2:21-26

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?
22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.
24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

In Love,

John Duvall

James 1:9-11

Dear Brethren,

There is nothing more important than money, or so some people would think. Quite often the possession of wealth or at least the appearance of wealth is very important to many people. However, in pursuing wealth, many people often neglect greater treasures such as family, friends, health, and of course, God. Although the Bible teaches the concept of working and earning money, it also teaches the concept of seeking first the kingdom of God. The Bible never condemns wealth; it condemns the love of wealth.

The problem with putting too much stock in wealth is the short term nature of wealth. Wealth will be with a person only a short time. I realize that in the hands of frugally minded people, wealth can grow; however, when that person dies, he will leave his wealth to someone else. As a result, wisdom demands that people focus on those concerns of greater importance. The greater of these concerns should be service to God. Such service requires a person to humble himself before God. This spirit of humility will enable the person to put God first within his life.

Here is James 1:9-11 presented for your consideration.

9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation,
10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away.
11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.

In Love,

John Duvall

Psalms 18:25-27

Dear Brethren,

One of the greatest lessons in life is for a person to be treated the way he treats other people. These lessons, like mirrors, allow the viewer to see his true self. At times, these lessons can be reassuring and at other times, they can be quite disturbing, depending upon the reflection. If someone is treating another person badly, then, at somepoint, they will receive the same type of treatment. If a person is kind and helping towards other people, then other people will treat him with kindness and compassion. There are some people who do not understand these lessons of life. They will walk over other people, treating them deceitfully and with contempt. Yet, when the same treatment comes to them, they grow angry and learn nothing from these lessons. As a result, they continue on the path of self-destruction.

The greatest teacher of these lessons is the Lord. The Lord will surely treat people as they have treated others. If a person shows mercy, then the Lord will show that person mercy. If a person is devious, then he will have to deal with or wrestle with the Lord.

Here is Psalms 18:25-27 for your consideration.

25 With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless;

26 With the pure You will show Yourself pure; And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd.

27 For You will save the humble people, But will bring down haughty looks.

In Love,

John Duvall

1 Corinthians 10:6-13

Dear Brethren,

Any person who walks the face of this wonderful earth has to face the challenges of diseases. Depending upon where a person lives will determine the number of diseases he must face. Due to various reasons, some diseases are more rampant in some countries than in other countries. However, there is one disease which has claimed thousands of lives throughout the world. This disease is known as arrogance.

Arrogance will often times prevent a person from admitting when he is wrong. Arrogance can affect a person's vision, limiting his "sight" to only what he wants to see. Arrogance also affects a person's hearing, making him "deaf" to the sound advice and instructions of others. This disease can be especially dangerous in the area of right and wrong. There are many people who will do something wrong, but will refuse to either admit to the deed or admit that such a deed was wrong.

In his first letter to the church in Corinth, in chapter 10, Paul warned the brethren to learn from the lessons of Israel. Despite all that God had done for Israel, the Israelites had refused to follow God. As a result, the Lord God punished Israel in the wilderness. Paul told the brethren in Corinth to take heed lest they also fall. This is a great lesson for all of us. If you suffer from the disease of arrogance, then humbly submit yourself to God and His Word.

Here is 1 Corinthians 10:6-13 presented for your consideration.

6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.
7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”
8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell;
9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents;
10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

In Love,

John Duvall

Galatians 6:7-10

Dear Brethren,

Helping other people is a part of a Christian's life. Hebrews 13:16 reads, "But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." In general, helping other people causes a person to feel good about what they have done. However, there are times when selfish and lazy people will abuse and take for granted a person's generosity. Such abuse can be quite painful to the person with a kind heart. When this happens, there is a temptation for the kindhearted person who is trying to do good to become disheartened and discouraged. No matter how many times a Christian may be emotionally injuried by other people abusing their good, the Christian must never grow weary in doing good.

Here is Galatians 6:7-10 presented for your consideration.

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

In Love,

John Duvall