Sabbath: Faith that works
Read for This Week’s Study: James 2:14-26; Rom. 3:27-28;Titus 2:14; 2 Cor. 4:2; Rom. 4:1-5; Josh. 2:1-21.
Memory Text: For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also
(James 2:26, NKJV).
He was a successful doctor and an elder in a high-profile church of several hundred members. He was a major giver to the church’s big projects, and his generosity encouraged others to be more sacrificial. The doctor was also a great preacher. When the pastor was gone he spoke, and everyone looked forward to his messages, which were theologically deep, heartfelt, and spiritual.
Then one day the truth came out. The doctor’s absence at church the previous Sabbath had not been because he was on vacation, as many had thought. No, he was found dead in his beachfront condo from an overdose of recreational narcotics.
Worse was the shocking revelation that in his bedroom were dozens of pornographic videos and magazines. The church was devastated, especially the young people, who had looked up to him as a role model. Though we must leave all judgment in God’s hands, the doctor’s actions certainly call into question the reality of his faith.
The point? Though we are saved by faith, we cannot separate faith and works in the life of a Christian, a crucial but often misunderstood truth expounded upon in the book of James.
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, November 8.
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I think we as human beings, we are too judgmental. Yes the doctor may sin against God, we don't know that he ask forgiveness to God before he die. The word of God says don't put ur trust in man put ur trust in God. A man must dissapoint u but God never dissapoint u
The Doc's example is typical of many of us the way we live. Most of us Christians have two faces just like the Doc:the public face and the behind the scene face! My brother Andries, it is true we can have last minute chance to repent just like the thief on the cross. However, we don't know how our end shall come. Let us always endeavor to depend on the Holy Spirit to live our faith. May our Lord bless us and lead us to live single faced lifestyle - obedient to Him.
How was the doctor to get help?
Who was he to turn to at church for help?
The pressures must have been demanding to keep up this false shell at great cost.
So looked at another way, did the parishioners have a living faith? Were they motivated to put faith into action and provide support for this individual? Was it that kind of church?
Andrew, thanks for your comment. I can't agree more. Tragically I know of some who have had this facade that they put on. The question is how does a church pick up on or support someone when the impetus to keep up appearances is so strong in some of our churches? As a Christian I admit it is hard to let my guard down and appear weak as I truly am. It is not natural to lay ourselves open for criticisms, but yet it is what God calls us to do as we live in community to build each other up. How can we get into a position where we can detect these faults when clearly they are purposefully hidden from the rest?
The doctor 's story was devastating. However he relayed on his strength than praying.
Disappointing story but unfortunateiy very common amongst adventist people. I agree never ever trust a mortal man he can raise you up up the ladder of Faith and then leave you to drop hard from there.
That is a very sad story for a number of reasons. We are instructed to not judge because we are not perfect enough our selves. However the old platitude, that you can not tell a book by it's cover, still holds true. We are inspired by speakers that are appealing and gifted and as such we are lured into a sense of false security sometimes. Our only reliable trust is in God and His Word as our guide. The Holy Spirit is our means of knowledge and communication with the Father. Jesus called the Holy Spirit our comforter. That is an appealing designation.
Are we to be surprised the doctor was a sinner?
What if instead of pornography, we found out that the doctor had arranged for one of his colleagues to be murdered so he could resume an affair with the man's wife (King David)... would we consider the Psalms (and this man's sermons) to be worthless because he was found to be a sinner?
While it is in our DNA to judge our brothers, I am so grateful that He who sees the heart and knows the whole story will judge.
As most of us know, the Bible says in more than one place that all have sinned. It also says that while were yet sinners Christ died for us. This is not a get out of jail free card. Sin is still abhorrent and offensive to God.
When we represent something we are not that is deception. Matt.23:28 Jesus calls it hypocrisy. Who is chief of deception? The same one that deceived 1/3 of the angels in Heaven.
Are there degrees of sin? Does it matter? That is another discussion.
We live in a society that thrives on sin in one form or another, so it is not difficult to recognize. If it walks like a duck ......
We are not God and for us to separate sin from the sinner can be difficult for many. Some justify there own piety by comparing their lives with a blatant sinner. Trying to make excuse for something that is sinful is an easy way to quiet our consciences.
It is true that the doctor's story is a breaker to many but as Christ said; "he who is without sin let him cast the first stone". He also said that "the tares and the wheat should be left to grow together until the time of the harvest". Let not man be your role model for you will be greatly disappointed. Only Christ is the perfect role model. All of us on Earth are sinners. None can be found perfect. If it wasn't becsuse of Gid's grace, none of us can be saved. Note one!. God bless His church.
Many people may set to defend or condemn the religious doctor but one thing stands out: He never lived his message! His was a painful endeavour to please people and display a certain level of religious standing. We are called to live our faith and believe system by practicing what we believe and say. Belief without works is dead. Good words; written or said but with no practical application are of no good to any one not even God.
Of course, we assume that he "never" lived his profession. If this is a true story, then we should also assume that there might be another side of this story that we do not know. Perhaps the doctor has never abused drugs or been addicted to porn. But maybe his wife died recently and the culmination of years of depression over abuses he suffered as a child overwhelmed him in the past few weeks, and as King David had drifted away from God, he also drifts into what he thinks will be an escape from his pain.
Sure, it is more likely his habits have been for many years, but we just cannot know, nor can we assume with any sense of confidence. As many point out here, we leave it with the One who simply does know all.
Thanks, Lars, for your reminders that it is not safe to judge by appearances.
I am so glad that our loving and omniscient Father understands the source of our pain and judges accordingly.
Years ago, I was much encouraged this statement:
My take-away from that is that God judges us by the tendency or direction of our life - are we moving closer to Him or farther away? If that is so, then we are not automatically condemned to hell because we died in an act of sin. He who knows the tendency of our hearts also know that, had we lived, we would have repented and turned back to Him.
I think we can get that directly from the Bible, but I needed this "lesser light" revelation.
looking into the context: faith and works 1. faith simply means a verb to enable one stand firm when expecting something good 2. works could be the backup that enables one to achieve what he expects. we are christain and some at times we always pretend that we have faith in God when we dont back it up with works, firstly we believe that christ can do all things and each time we ask we dont back it up with works which could be prayers,praises,worship and its always surpose to be our responsibilities to praise him,worship him and give him honour because oniy him our faith and trust relies on
I like the parable from the writer and the comments too. One thing I should ask, is it that Satan have his agents in the church? Is it that they are obedient and behaving? What about a perfect man with a bolt in his eye, is it not what is happening to most of us?
Let our deeds reflect the Christ.
Yes, we do judge to much. We need to remember that there was only one person who lived a perfect life, and that he is the one we are to look to as the person to emulate. The sooner we teach this to our children the less likely they will be disappointed be human failings.
I left the church for a long time because I let human failings get between me and looking to Jesus. I am determined not to let it happen again. We all should.
I am encouraged by those who warn against judging. I am new to this site and have avoided churches because of judgmental, critical attitudes. I have always endeavored to live my life as my Lord has shown me by His example, yet I am so very human. Recreational drugs? Never. Porn? Never! But I have fallen over and over in other areas that are just as serious: gossip, judging, pride......
Thank you, those of you who have cautioned against judgment, for renewing my faith in people.
For it is written;
nobody is righteous not even one.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:10,23
Nevertheless, this doctor should have live up to the standard that he presented. What I want to say without being judgmental is that we should ask God to guide us in every step we make. This doctor may have been overwhelmed by life hence seeking refuge in drugs other than in God.
I wonder if this story would carry the same interest if it was written this way:
The doctor was found dead from a heart attack. Investigators found his freezer full of ice cream and his pantry full of cheese and pastries. Also found in his beach condo was a very expensive home entertainment system with hundreds of horror and fantasy DVDs.
No, this would not make the news, but are any of us so sure that in the eyes of Heaven, this life might have been as hypocritical in the eyes of Heaven as the drug addict and porn watcher? Will many Laodiceans be lost who thought they weren't that bad because they didn't do the "grosser sins" ? I wonder, especially as I recall the words of Jesus "The prostitutes and tax collectors go into the Kingdom of God before you!"
Well a very good illustration of most christians. I am not surprised about the story. The pulpit could also be a place where people display their talent, where we tell people to do what is right but not to copy our lifestyle of deciet.
Hw about asking yourself the places we say something and do the opposite.
How many Seventh Day adventist leave church service for exams on saturday or attend parties or some pleasure seeking etc.
The real you is what you and God knows you to be and not what others say. So be careful
Seem to me that the writer was only trying to show an example of faith without works and not judging.
But it does remind me of something I heard from Anne Keamel - "The measure of a man's character is what he is in the dark."
Rosie Charies, I agree with you, the writer is trying to show an example of faith without works. But while we are not judging others - it is exactly what some of us christians are doing! so lets thank the writer of this study for reminding us again of this very important topic faith that works!
Are we really judging? From the story (parable) I cannot see where the writer was in a judgemental frame of mind. Here was someone whose words and actions didn't line up. And as someone rightly commented, he wasw relying on his own strengths an not on God, asking Him in faith, believing, to help him overcome this addiction.
As I mentioned above, though, it is hard to divorce the fact the writer has set out certain sins that he believes are especially egregious. In that sense, he has judged. If he wrote that the man died of a heart attack with ice cream in his freezer, would we take so strongly the tack that "he was relying on his own strengths and not on God"?
Here is something EGW says about that:
Sounds like this doctor had "no victories in this kind of faith". But does that mean he was not conscientious and had a "kind of faith"?
EGW also says we will be shocked by those who are saved and those who are lost. In these kind of stories, I am just very reluctant to imply that someone is lost.
Perhaps the discovery of his double life startled someone else out their bondage to vice? Why did God choose to include the brazen sins of King David? What about the questions that our finite minds just don't even think of?
Lars, I really appreciate your very articulate comments and look forward to hearing more from you in other areas of interest on this blog.
From what I understand the Bible does not condemn judgment in general. What it does condemn is judging motives because as you have said in order to do that one has to know the heart and only God knows that, "For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart" (1 Sam. 16:7 NKJV). Even the angels don't have that ability.
Furthermore I can righteously say that what someone does is wrong but I can't say why the person did it. I can also judge obvious rebellious defiant acts of sin and can, on biblical grounds, suggest to the church that the person be removed from the church if it is serious enough. Jesus gave us a prescription for church discipline in Matt 18 and Paul used Bible counsel in his dealing with a young man in the Corinthian church that was sinning in such a way that it was, "such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles" (1 Cor. 5:1 NKJV). For that he had the person temporally removed from the church and that was done under the inspiration of the spirit.
Tyler, I agree with you, in principle, and I realize you did not intend to address the situation I will describe below. But the situation is real and it affects a significant number of people in the church.
I have lately been reading and listening to the statements of folks who are "righteously" sure that a significant number of their brothers and sisters are in rebellion and a state of defiance against God's word. Now I happen to disagree with them, because I understand God's Word quite differently. In fact, I tend to think that they base their judgment on an unbiblical teaching that crept into the church by a back door. (Was doing a whole bunch of "back-talking" to a video last night. 😉 )
So what does that tell you? Does it tell you that I am wrong? Does it tell you that they are wrong? Would it help if you had the arguments from both sides and could decide who was really in rebellion?
You see that this situation can get pretty sticky. That's one of the reasons Christ gaves us some counsel in Matt 18:15-19 regarding taking it "to the church." But even that counsel doesn't totally apply in situations where there is a difference in interpretations of Scripture, because it's not a matter of "a brother" sinning "against me." It's just that a brother or many brothers (and sisters) see things differently than I do. An in situations like that, I believe we need to be very careful not to climb on the judgment seat of God to say that those who disagree with me (or my particular faction in the church) are in "rebellion" or "defiance" because rebellion and defiance are states of the heart, and only God can judge the heart.
It seems to me that in disagreements over biblical interpretation, we can prevent coming to a harmonious conclusion by deciding that those who disagree with us are in "rebellion." Instead, it seems to me that it would be much more helpful, if we could understand that we are all faulty and in various states of rebellion (i.e. sin) against God, and that we need to pray much more and listen to each other much more.
But the whole subject of judging is off-topic from the lesson, and I hope that my comment will not lead to going further off-topic. In fact, it seems to me that with a little more faith in God's leading, we can refrain from judging each other to be rebellious. In His own time, He will deal with "rebellion," as long as we remain submissive to Him.
Luther actually set a pretty good example. Even though he could not quite understand why this "epistle of straw" was included in the biblical canon, he translated it and included it anyway. 🙂
Inge, I find very little if anything to disagree with in what you say. Perhaps I should have been clearer concerning what I meant to say.
To add some muscle to what you say we can look at the persecutions of the early Christians in the book of acts and realize that those who were judging the "heretics" were themselves the ones that were wrong. It also reminds me of Luke's statement concerning the people at Berea, "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11 NKJV). In Thessalonica those people came to a quick judgment without making a thorough study of what was being presented.
Today I think we need more discussion and less judgment and often what a person believes is rooted in a lot of environmental and personal issues that need to be considered. If we do judge I think we should do as Jesus said, "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment" (Jn. 7:24 NKJV) and as Ellen White very well said in many different ways:
That's a rather tall order but I think through Christ that can be accomplished because, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matt. 19:26 NKJV)
Inge, I agree with much of what you say regarding judgmental members of our church. I will be more patronizing and label it as opinion. We know the biblical instruction in addressing situations that need it. The idea of being in rebellion against God as many see it doesn't seem appropriate to apply to those that are also "Christians". Rebellion is a concerted effort to live in direct opposition to a belief or authority. Paul called himself the chief of sinners and he was a rebel of sorts, Jesus ask him (Saul) why are you persecuting Me? However when he became an apostle he then had a different struggle. He said in Rom.7:19, I practice sinning, not by intent, but by the sin that is in my soul and body. (Not a direct quote).
There have also been opinions as to the understanding of faith without works. How would you know if that is applicable to anyone but yourself? By observation of others lives and activity? How does Heb.11:1 describe Faith? Things that are hoped for and proof without being seen. Abraham is one of the greatest examples of the kind of faith that we should have. He trusted God in spite any and all human logic. Yes Abraham demonstrated his faith by his works so to speak but there was a period of time when his and Sarah's faith grew a little thin. Our humanity has to fit in here someplace. Rom.12:3 says everyone is given a measure of faith and Eph.2:8,9 also say it is a gift of salvation and no works involved. James and Paul both agree that Faith is necessary but see its acquisition and exercise a bit differently.
Even Martin Luther found the book of James difficult, calling it an "epistle of straw" because of the apparent emphasis on works. 😉 While I'm not always fond of compilations of Ellen White's writings, I really appreciate the volume entitled Faith and Works. It is composed of statements on faith and works, arranged in chronological order.
You can read it online at the EGWWritings site or purchase a convenient Kindle version for your tablet or phone.
I look at faith and works in the sense that it is a faith that works, like the title of today's lesson. Too often we look at overcoming sin as grunt work.
If we push the car hard enough we will finally get our stalled auto to the top of the grade. I think it works more like this. We can get in the car and we can have faith that if we turn on the ignition and start the car we can drive it to the top of the hill. Isn't that much easier. And of course the connecting link is prayer. Let's underscore prayer as what pulls it al together. The focus of our prayer is a closer walk with God, not panic praying to get over what besets us. EGW says "Prayer is the key in the hand of faith that opens heavens storehouse."
I believe that works per se is not what bothered Martin Luther. I think he was very conscious of good works and I don't think he ever preached against the necessity of good works in the life of the Christian simply because neither Paul nor any other New Testament writer ever did.
To me what bothered him was James' statement, "You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only" (James 2:24 NKJV). Martin Luther had experience with trying to be justified by works and found that it couldn't deal with guilt. Only justification could do that and that is the reason he found so much hope in that well known verse in the book of Ephesians, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9 NKJV). He also seems to have based a lot of his theology on Rom 3:23-25.
I think what he saw was an irreconcilable contradiction between James and Paul and to him Paul was the more theologically correct. It wasn't a matter of whether or not the Christian should have works but rather it was over the question of works being the means of salvation.
I do agree with you. Is not that text, even in the context appear contradictory? I know we can make/"add" explanations to apparent contradictory texts to make them agree but is it possible that James did not understand the principle of salvation by faith alone without works as did Paul?
My contention is this:
Faith is what justifies. Faith is evidenced by works. This suggests faith comes first then works (even works of faith). Therefore justification precedes all works. Is it therefore correct to say that one is justified by works and not faith alone -James 2:24 ?
The point here is ma beloved, can there be faith that is not able to manifest itself in works? Wether the illustration here used is appropiate or not, that im not sure, however our attention is called to do some introspection about our faith, does it have works to testify of it?
I think King Solomon may also be a good example here (as the Doctor.) King Solomon was the wisest man ever to walk the earth. However, even w/all that wisedom, he often lived outside God's Word (and/or commands.) The result: division of kingdom and the decaying legacy of the kings who followed. Yet, through Solomon's lineage God brought Jesus.
W/o God we fall. It is only on Him should we be founded in our faith. Yes, even Satan can use the Truth, often enriched w/passion, to deflect our attention from God to something/one else. They will know whose we are by our fruits, (Mathew 7:16 & 20). So we are to test ourselves (2 Cor 13:5) and pray. As long as we're more concerned for our right relationship w/Christ (than another's) then He can use even our failings for good and we will not be trapped by the disappointment of the failings of others but we'll learn from them, (1 Cor 10:11). We'll behave to reflect God's image, not another human beings (than that of Christ's life.)
Therefore (2 Cor 4:2, AMP) 2 We have renounced disgraceful ways (secret thoughts, feelings, desires and underhandedness, the methods and arts that men hide through shame); we refuse to deal craftily (to practice trickery and cunning) or to adulterate or handle dishonestly the Word of God, but we state the truth openly (clearly and candidly). And so we commend ourselves in the sight and presence of God to every man’s conscience.
Christians claim for themselves spiritual progress and not spiritual perfection. A faith that works is not a faith that is perfect.
What if we just emulate only the good things from people we admire. To avoid going astray.
This story re-emphasizes the fact that Christ alone should be our example. The arms of flesh will fail you ,you dare not trust your own. We should also realise that the enemy targets the greatest and most influential among us . Many times what we see is not what exists ,therefore we should pray earnestly for each other. People must have thought that the gentleman was OK spiritually and neglected to reach out but no one is sin proof until we reach heaven.
I would also implore us to put away the fear of disappointing others or feeling embarrassed at the peril of our souls instead of seeking help for our weaknesses. The final point is that we should not play with sin because our sins will find us out. We need to be connected to God now more than ever. If the devil has a short time and only God can kill him,then can you imagine how short our time is? Brethren let us wake up and put on the whole armour of God.
When reading this story, it's sad but I think about my experience. Am I actually living up to all that I claim to believe?
I can pray for those who say they're attempting to live a Christlike life. I can encourage and support others but I have to remember that the only life I can surrender is mine.
My only thought is that the church, who profited from the good works the poor Dr. offered them, didn't care a fig about his personal wellbeing. It seems he had no friends he could go to with his problems and cares, somebody who would stand by him and help him fight his sins. Maybe the whole story is made up like the best stories are, that would be a comfort. But it seems very real, that a congregation who has missed out on such important things like the wellbeing of their members would be "shocked" instead of grieved about their own shortcomings. May the Lord open our eyes and help us see people in need and open our hearts so we see them as Jesus sees us.
"Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. Since you did not warn him, he will die for his sin. The righteous things he did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.
(Ezekiel 3:20 - NIV)
From last week's lesson we leaned about 'The man in gold'.Could it be that the fellowship of believers in the doctor's church elevated him to a pedestal which blinded them to telltale signs of his other face and are therefore partakers in his sinful ways?Could it be that the fellowship in that church was so superficial that not a single church member was able to discern the facade that the doctor had set up?Is it possible that we are not intimate enough with our fellow church members that we cannot know how someone is hurting and in need of help?Someone commented last week that love does what is good and not what feels good.Isn't it a loving thing to warn a brother when we discern that he is straying?
I think that in some way or another, the doctor, in the story, represents many of us in the church who are battle grounds for the old man of sin (the sinful nature) and the new man (The new creation). This story should cause us to reflect on our standing with God and on the struggles that others are going through. It should serve as a wake up call to those of us who are playing the baby serpents that will one day grew into dangerous vipers. This story highlights the fact that even those who appear to be ok need our prayer support.
Let us not condemn the doctor or others who we think are not living their faith. Let us take the Jesus approach '' Neither do I condemn thee go and sin no more''.
As much as the is joy unspeakable and full of glory when a sinner turn his/her back from sin,satan will always attack the servant of Christ,he will expose them so as to discourage all those who learn from him.The Doc life cannot be in vain,lets take all the good works and words of encouragement he left us with
Many were shocked at the discovery of the doctors secret life. Yet, both sins, are addictions, which once begun tend to bind a person with bands of iron into a dark world from which it is next to impossible to escape.
Yes, with God there is power to overcome addictions.
Of course the best way is never to start, but from reports there are many Christians caught in the web of addictions; pornography is one of the biggest one for an alarming number of men, especially in our day when the media makes it so easy to access.
What do we have to offer to help them escape?
And what about our own addictions that may seem more benign but are still sin?
Yes, before the doctor died nobody knew the other side of his life, likewise to many of us we are like the doc, many sins are being done under cover and we sometimes do forget there is one who see deep inside our hearts(minds) the ONE who will judge justly. Therefore we should not blame the doc, istead search ask ourselves how different our lifes are from that of the doctor. Does the faith we profess reflect out deeds?. its a challenge to most of christians today.our works must go hand in hand the faith we profess. i agree with james that faith without works is dead.
Is this story not more about WORKS without FAITH?
"He was a successful doctor and an elder" = WORKS.
"He was a major giver to the church’s big projects" = WORKS.
"The doctor was also a great preacher" = WORKS.
"When the pastor was gone he spoke" = WORKS.
"...he was found dead in his beachfront condo from an overdose of recreational narcotics" = NO FAITH!
But, think about this:
"He was a successful doctor and an elder" = GOD'S GOOD WORK THROUGH A SINFUL MAN
"...and everyone looked forward to his messages, which were theologically deep, heartfelt, and spiritual" = GOD'S GOOD WORK THROUGH A SINFUL MAN
"...young people, who had looked up to him as a role model" = GOD'S GOOD WORK THROUGH A SINFUL MAN
We are all full of dark and dirty secrets hidden away in our homes and closets, and yes, many of us try hard to keep up appearances, even when among our church family. God gives us countless opportunities through our works, to activate our faith. But, even if we don't, He is able to work through us to reach others. The question for me is, how will the young people of this story react despite their discouragement of the doctor's secret life? Is it possible that they can come away from this experience understanding that despite himself, God used him to reach them? And what will they do with the knowledge of the truths they learned? Will they give them up because they heard the truths from an unjust man, or will they embrace the truths, nevertheless, and proceed in their growth in Christ? When we interact with our church family members, or when we listen to an elder or pastor "impart God's Word" and we are blessed, let's remember that the Word is coming from God through an imperfect - even grotesque - vessel. God's work will never be stalled by human error. Nevertheless, our part is to have faith and rely on His mighty power to transform us and change our hearts into what He wants us to be.
The crucial point to remember is that the bible does not contradict itself when it comes to something that leads to salvation as basis
This is a very good object lesson. Faith is one of the Hallmarks of the Christian's response to salvation. Everything we do is done by faith, but the works of our faith must match our talking of our faith. Who are we when only God is looking really tells of the measure of our works. Faith without works is dead. It makes faith a verb not a noun. It takes a lot of courage to have the work of faith, however, courage is faith that has said its prayers. Prayer and study of God word increases our faith and we take courage in doing the will of God, which is our works.