James 2:14 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
If the order doesn’t matter then we have a combination, if the order matters then we have a permutation. One can say that a permutation is an ordered combination. For example, potato salad is a delicious combination of cooked potatoes, shallots, capers, mayonnaise, olive oil, salt & freshly chopped parsley. The order in which the ingredients are mixed has no impact on the taste of the salad. However, sugar cannot be added to a cake after it is baked. It must be folded into the batter before it goes into the oven. Similarly, divine directives and mandates have both permutation and combinations. Many blessings are missed as we overlook the permutation or the combination. Potato salad that is too salty is useless and if it has no salt, it will be tasteless. Similarly, divine formulas applied in our decisions will make us useful, fruitful and purposeful.
Faith is both a spiritual gift and a fruit. Faith is the condition of the heart that is anchored and firmly rooted in the promises of God. Faith in our heart is the spiritual gift birthed by the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:3b ..No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. Action (works) that results from the gift of faith is the “fruit of faith”. Abraham believing in the promises of God to have a child at 100 years was the “gift of faith” but Abraham being obedient to God’s direction and claiming up Mount Moriah to sacrifice his son, was the “fruit of faith”. Hence faith without works (obedience) is dead. The permutation is “faith before action”. Good works without divine vision will crush God’s purpose and collapse under the weight of worldliness. The combination that will yield much fruit will be faith in action mixed with love, compassion, selflessness and other Godly virtues. Hence it is extremely important to get the divine formula of the permutations and combination right.
The formula for faith & works:
1. Life: The faith in our heart comes to life when we understand the will, purpose and vision of the Father. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives (Colossians 1:9). Foundation of faith is understanding the will or the heartbeat of the Father for our lives. Good works are conceived in the womb of faith and birthed into actions. Such good works never die as they are recorded in Heaven not just rewarded on earth.
2. Longevity: The works that result from the faith in our hearts will have longevity only when the root is firmly planted in divine purpose. If preaching, giving or ministering is driven by popularity, pompousness and prominence, the works will wither and die like the grass of the field. Live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work (Colossians 1:10). Longevity is solely dependent on the strength of the foundation of faith.
3. Leverage: Good works that travels on the vehicle of faith will grow, multiply and continue to bear fruits beyond our lifetime into eternity. Only faith not fame will leverage Godly works (actions).
“Faith in Christ” before “works”(actions) is the permutation but the combination of Godly virtues make us faithful and fruitful.
James 2:14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to understand the divine formula for eternal success, progress and process. Amen
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