Jesus informed the world in John 8:24 that you will die in your sins if, “you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." Those are rather poignant words from our Lord---words, which need to be heeded. The Hebrew writer says in Heb 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Again the importance and necessity of faith is stated. Our faith must be active; it must demonstrate to God that our belief is genuine. The perfect illustration of this type of faith is given to us in the Book of James. James tells us in chapter 2 of his epistle that our faith must be like Abraham’s and Rahab’s. James preceded these two examples with this question, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?” (Vs. 14).” He goes on to give an example of a profitable faith. In verse 15-16 he says, “’If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?” Nothing! The answer is obvious! James makes an even stronger statement in verse 17, “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” This section of Scripture not only states the importance of faith, in that, it must be profitable, but it goes on to show us how to have profitable faith. It must be active; it must be full of good works. Paul wrote in Eph 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Not works of the Old Law, but works of obedience, which show God that we love Him. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). He also said in Chapter 15:10, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.” James goes on to say in verse 18, “But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” You see faith is not simply an intellectual acknowledgement that God exists for if that were the case you would be no better than Satan’s demons. Verse 19 of James 2 says, “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble!” James again uses very strong language to describe unprofitable faith. He says in verse 20, “But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?”

James now uses Abraham and Rahab to show us what true faith is. He writes in verses 21-26 about these two people and draws conclusions we must heed. “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 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. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” This is true faith and it is the type of faith that will make our service to God profitable. It is also one of the five steps necessary for eternal life. Won’t you follow Jesus into eternal bliss by obeying His will?