"What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?" James 2.14
Salvation comes by faith.
But what is the kind of faith that brings salvation and the kind that does not?
Faith that is accompanied by attitudes, actions and sacrifices is the faith that saves. How can a person live by faith in Jesus without having to sacrifice their own will?
But the faith that does not save is like that of the demons. They believe in God, yet they are still demons. See this in James 2.19.
"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." James 2.26
The text leaves no doubt: faith without works is dead, hopeless. And what has been impeding people from taking actions of faith?
The feelings of their hearts.
These feelings are hindering people from the sacrifice that brings results.
"...to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3.19
The Lord Jesus promised His faithful followers the fullness of His Spirit. Have you ever imagined yourself being filled with the Holy Spirit just as the Lord Jesus was?
Yes...
But for this to happen, He also demands your all.
It is your all in exchange for His fullness.
"Say to the house of Israel, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will profane my sanctuary, the pride of your power, the delight of your eyes, and the yearning of your soul, and your sons and your daughters whom you left behind shall fall by the sword.'" Ezekiel 24.21
The Temple of Solomon was reduced to ashes and, in its place, the temple of Muhammad was erected. So the prophecy to the people who had once been the glory of the Lord was fulfilled. Why?
Because of pride.
Pride is the reason why many people fall. Especially those who once belonged to God.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" Jeremiah 17.9
Even though it is known that the heart is wicked, misleading, corrupt and a faithful ally to the devil, still, its feelings, emotions, pleas and cries are heard and heeded.
Why?
Because those who have it like that are not yet born of the Holy Spirit.
"For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace" Romans 8.6
To lean onto the flesh means fulfilling the desires of the heart, which is the source of misleading and prohibited feelings.
To lean onto the Spirit is to deny the feelings of the heart and practicing the discipline of faith.
The flesh hates discipline, order, justice, Bible, Law, fear of God, perseverance, Commandments, and everything else that pertains to spiritual values and that are contrary to the emotions of the heart.
"But he who endures to the end shall be saved." Matthew 24.13
Certainly, perseverance has not been the strongest trait of the majority. However, there is no other alternative to achieve the salvation of the soul.
Why?
Because the devil perseveres in his quest of getting back the souls he lost. And whoever is more perseverant wins. Those who get discouraged lose.
That is why Jesus exhorts us to persevere to the end.
