Laboring through the Spirit

Now that we know that laboring does not earn us salvation but it is only through faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ and his perfect work on Calvary, are we not to do works? James states that faith without works is dead! So are we saying that the bible contradicts itself, by no means. The fact that works in no way earns your salvation has nothing to do with James’s statement. Faith in Christ means that you were sealed with the Holy Spirit once your heart first believed. That Spirit is the same Spirit that fell upon Christ in His Baptism which came from the Father who was in Heaven. James is simply stating to God’s children that out of a grateful heart that loves and appreciates God’s love there will be many works performed. Your works are a fruit of the Spirit that is now dwelling inside of you making you a new creation. A child who loves his Father will want to please his Father in many ways. This child will seek out opportunities to do the things he believes brings happiness and joy to the Father. All of this is done through the Spirit, not out of taught righteousness by man. James is stating that if you truly have faith in God then you should have an appreciation for God and His Son. One who calls themselves a believer and has not an attitude of service is dead, meaning that they still do not have the Life of Christ which is the Holy Spirit dwelling within them. Is your faith producing works??? Have a wonderful life of Labor on purpose!!!!!


“The Charge” at www.thecharge-dcoutourier.blogspot.com

Romans 9

Israel's Unbelief
30What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. 32Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone." 33As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."[m]

James 2

Faith and Deeds
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? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
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[d]? 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,"[e] and he was called God's friend. 24You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

Romans 12

Living Sacrifices
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[b]faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.