10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it abundantly.
Even the devil can disguise himself when approaching the children of God. Our defense is God, love and humility. Let us embrace the good news that no evil scheme can ruin us if we abide in the light of the glorious Gospel of true freedom, which is in Jesus Christ and Him alone.
2 Corinthians 4:6-12;
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of the Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 …show more content…
Works in James are the outworking of faith; if it’s not a living faith, it becomes dead works. Abraham’s work of faith was not only seen in his obedience to God’s command, but also in the fact that he believed that God would raise up his son (Hebrews 11:19). God had promised Abraham that Isaac would have children and he believed that God would keep this promise even though God had commanded him to kill Isaac (Genesis 21:12). How can a dead Isaac have children? Abraham knew that the only solution to this impossible dilemma was that God would have to raise his son from the dead. Abraham’s momentous faith in God’s ability to fulfill His Word despite such difficulty is commended by the writer of Hebrews 11:19. Abraham’s faith manifested itself in his willingness to obey God when all reason would repudiate his actions. This faith is seen as fruit of works of his previous faith which is unto salvation. Salvation by grace alone through faith is a broad and crucial topic; my next book will focus on this