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13/07/2024

THE MEANING OF ROMANS 8:7: WHAT IS THE CARNAL MIND?
In Romans 8:7 the apostle Paul wrote about the carnal mind. Just what is the carnal mind? Could you be influenced by it? What hope do you have against it?

WHAT IS THE CARNAL MIND?
In short, the carnal mind is the mind that is dominated by selfishness. It’s the mind that is self-willed, self-focused and self-seeking. The carnal mind is devoid of the ability to surrender wholeheartedly to God.

You may be familiar with the term terrible twos.
The phrase refers to a normal developmental stage in a child’s life when he or she begins to develop independence—and can be more difficult to work with, prone to temper tantrums and saying “no” to parental instruction.

Being carnally minded—or having a carnal mind—is similar to being in the “terrible twos,” except you don’t grow out of it, and it’s directed at God’s instructions.

No matter our age, ethnicity or gender, all of us deal with carnal-mindedness.

It is a fact lost on most people, but because of your carnal mind, you innately resent and resist the idea of a God who has the right and the authority to tell you what to do.

No one is immune to the carnal mind’s influence—neither the author of this post nor the millions of religious people who pray long, flowery prayers and attend weekly Sunday services and cry out, “Lord, Lord,” and “Jesus, Jesus.”

That may seem contradictory—after all, how can the people who appear to be the most dedicated and sincere actually resent the God they claim to worship?

The answer: the carnal mind.

But is that really true?

What is the carnal mind? How can you identify the carnal mind?

Romans 8:7 is a foundational scripture that tells us three must-know facts about the carnal mind. This blog post will examine and explain these three facts and what they mean to you.

“BECAUSE THE CARNAL MIND IS ENMITY AGAINST GOD”
The word carnal has been mistakenly used to exclusively describe those who indulge in the most unnatural and brutish kinds of sin. But its application is actually much broader than that.

First, we need to establish a biblical definition of the term carnal mind. The phrase is made up primarily of two Greek words: sarkos for “carnal” and phronema for “mind.”

Sarkos comes from the root word sarx, which literally means “flesh,” and phronema has to do with a mind-set, perspective, outlook or disposition.

The Bible, then, says that the fleshly mind—or the natural mind, the way you are—is “enmity” (hostility) against God.

The first truth expressed in Romans 8:7 is that the ordinary mind of a human being is inherently at odds with its Creator. Knowingly or unknowingly, it fights against Him. It opposes—even resents—Him.

One illustration of this antagonism—albeit on a smaller scale—can sometimes be seen in our relationships.

Have you ever felt compelled to confront friends you saw heading in the wrong direction? Maybe they were making bad health, financial or relationship decisions that you knew they’d come to bitterly regret later.

Maybe, when confronted, they made excuses, said “Here’s what I think,” or “Here’s how I look at it,” and did a little verbal dance to avoid listening to the truth about their decisions.

Maybe your love and concern were met with anger and an outright refusal to listen.

Maybe they even flipped the script and attacked you for something completely unrelated.

In a sense, that parallels humanity’s approach toward its Creator.

To use a more extreme example, consider the murder of the only truly good, pure, innocent, wholesome human being ever to walk the earth: Jesus of Nazareth.

He who had spent 3½ years giving, serving, healing and teaching—who had not been guilty of even a single crime—became the target of the passionate cries of the mob, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” (Luke 23:21).

In the fraudulent trial, cruel beating and brutal crucifixion of Jesus Christ, we can see the cold and callous nature of the carnal mind on full display.

Notice what Peter was inspired to write about how Jesus responded to the brutality of His persecutors:

“For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example . . . who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten” (1 Peter 2:20-23).

How could human beings mock, beat, torture and eventually kill the Man who was God in the flesh?

Because “everyone practicing evil [following the carnal mind] hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed,” as Jesus explained (John 3:20, emphasis added throughout).

It was the hatred—the enmity—displayed by the carnal mind that killed Jesus Christ.

“FOR IT [CARNAL MIND] IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF GOD”
This part of Romans 8:7 specifies what it is about God that the carnal mind resists: His law.

The carnal mind will not let God be God. It refuses to acknowledge God as its Ruler, Governor and ultimate Authority.

Because His laws are an expression of that authority, mankind cannot and will not fully obey Him.

Instead, rather than total obedience, what appeals more to the natural man is selective obedience. The carnal mind tends to pick and choose which commandments to obey, to cut verses out of context to justify behavior that is clearly condemned elsewhere, and to reason its way through direct statements in order to do its own thing.

In many cases, the only commandments that are followed are the ones that yield immediate benefits, sound nice and aren’t too restrictive.

Take, for example, the Fourth Commandment.

The biblical teaching on the Sabbath is straightforward and easy to understand. There is no scriptural evidence to suggest it was ever changed to Sunday; rather, the Sabbath was and is to be kept on the seventh day of the week, Saturday, according to God’s own handwriting.

Every true servant of God down through the centuries has observed the Sabbath, including Jesus Christ and every one of His disciples in the early Church.

But the carnal mind will make every effort to argue its way out of God’s direct command to keep the Sabbath on the seventh day, sometimes using intelligent-sounding theological arguments to convince itself that the Sabbath was abolished, and other times simply saying it was the product of the “harsh God” of the Old Testament.

Even people who readily admit that the Sabbath is still binding on Christians today will try to reason around keeping it by saying things like, “God wouldn’t want me to lose my job,” or “God wouldn’t want me to miss this concert.”

Do any of those approaches characterize you?

If so, why?

It’s the hostility that is being manifested.

To see another example of these stiff-necked tendencies, we need look no further than the ancient nation of Judah.

Notice what God told the rebellious people of Judah through the prophet Jeremiah: “Behold, I am fashioning disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good” (Jeremiah 18:11).

“Make your ways and your doings good” is another way of saying quit disobeying and start obeying.

Repentance was long overdue for the nation, but they chose to stubbornly dig in their heels.

Verse 12 records their carnal-minded, absolute refusal to obey God: “And they [the people of Judah] said, ‘That is hopeless! So we will walk according to our own plans, and we will every one obey the dictates of his evil heart [carnal mind].’”

This stubbornness was not specific to the people of Judah.

In fact, we also find it in Revelation chapters 8-9 where a series of plagues fall on the earth just prior to the return of Jesus Christ. Despite these plagues, each increasing in severity and casualties, the people of the earth will refuse to turn to God, just as the nation of Judah refused.

“But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands . . . and they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts” (Revelation 9:20-21).

God, the One who declares the end from the beginning, confirms that even after devastating plagues that will bring the earth to the brink of destruction, mankind will still not obey God.

That is the extent to which mankind will refuse to be subject to the law of God.

“NOR INDEED CAN BE”
God made a covenant with the children of Israel after freeing them spectacularly and dramatically out from under Pharaoh’s oppressive thumb.

“All that the LORD has spoken, we will do,” was the Israelites’ immediate and heartfelt response to God’s intervention in their lives (Exodus 19:8).

One would think that witnessing powerful miracles like the splitting of the Red Sea would inspire the Israelites to do everything in their power to obey God. But the opposite happened.

They utterly failed.

Because of the Israelites’ disobedience, they were condemned to wander in the wilderness for 40 years, until that faithless and unbelieving generation had died.

Why did they disobey God and fail to uphold their end of the covenant?

Romans 8:7 provides the answer: “For it [the carnal mind] is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.”

The New American Standard Bible translates Romans 8:7 as, “For it [the carnal mind] does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so.”

Arguing against keeping God’s commandments—justifying sin—is nothing other than the manifestation of the last truth of Romans 8:7: the hopelessness of expecting the carnal mind to obey God on its own.

This was demonstrated repeatedly throughout the history of the ancient Israelites, from their divinely guided exit from Egypt to the moment they were led captive into Babylon.

God lamented over the Israelites’ carnal-mindedness: “Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!” (Deuteronomy 5:29).

Carnal-mindedness is deeply ingrained in us.

It’s at the source of our inability to obey God; it’s in our nature. (For an in-depth understanding of why we are the way we are, see “What Is Human Nature?”)

So, what can we do about it?

THE SOLUTION TO THE CARNAL MIND
Romans 8:7 of and by itself may seem grim.

That becomes especially true when it’s viewed in the context of the preceding verse, which says, “For to be carnally minded is death” (Romans 8:6).

After all, since the Israelites—people who saw God’s dramatic intervention time and time again—could not overcome the influence of the carnal mind, what hope do we have?

If that were all there was to it, we would find ourselves echoing Paul’s sentiment: “Oh wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24).

Fortunately, there is a solution.

Our greatest weapon in the war against our carnal mind is the Holy Spirit, which equips us with the self-control necessary to resist its dictates.Paul answered his own question: Jesus Christ is the One who will deliver us (verse 25). His sacrifice made it possible for us to have a new start—this time with a powerful Helper to combat the influence of the carnal mind.

The remainder of Romans 8:6 tells us, “But to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

Spiritual-mindedness through the power of God’s Spirit is the solution.

Our greatest weapon in the war against our carnal mind is the Holy Spirit, which equips us with the self-control necessary to resist its dictates. To learn more about this power, read “What Is the Holy Spirit?”

Through the help of the Holy Spirit, we can allow the inspired Scriptures to correct and reprove us, just as they were intended to do.

With that kind of divine assistance, we can finally overcome carnal-mindedness and accept the Bible as the absolute authority in our lives.

We will be able to quit arguing, reasoning and rebelling against God and His Word. We will be able to say, as Jesus did, “Not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).

Why Does God Allow Evil and Suffering? That is not to say we won’t still have our bouts with carnality and sometimes lose a battle.
Even Paul, years after receiving the Holy Spirit, committed sin (Romans 7:21-23).

However, with God’s Spirit empowering us, we can overcome and obey the God revealed in the Bible—the God of creation, the God of the apostles.

It is only through His Spirit that we can overcome the influence of the carnal mind.

12/07/2024

TRUE SPIRITUALITY -WHAT IS IT - DO YOU KNOW?
Herbert W Armstrong

HOW OFTEN do we hear one say, "He is so SPIRITUAL"? Or, "Those people are not very spiritual"? What is true spirituality do you know? We need, just now, to be warned against being deceived into a false standard of spirituality. We need to examine the true scriptural standard.

FOUR THINGS USUALLY ACCEPTED AS SURE EVIDENCE.
There are four things generally regarded as sure evidence of a spiritual mind:
1) Speech, noise, emotion, demonstration. 2) Knowledge of Scripture. 3) "Faith." 4) Rigid standard of righteousness.
It will prove interesting, and profitable, to take a brief look at each, and measure according to the scriptural standard.
1) The most commonly accepted evidence of spirituality is the way people talk or demonstrate. Some people have deliberately cultivated spiritual-sounding language. Or, perhaps, they have unconsciously acquired the habit of using "spiritual" sounding expressions. People say, "My, isn't Brother so-and-so spiritual?"
Many think a church service does not amount to anything unless there is more or less noise, mass enthusiasm and a great deal of emotion worked up and visibly expressed. They never enjoy a sermon, no matter how edifying, unless the preacher is full of certain emotional enthusiasm, fluent in the accepted spiritual phraseology and able to generate in his audience the usual emotional reactions and outbursts expected in this type of meeting. If such things are present, these folk enjoy themselves immensely, whether they learn anything really worthwhile or not.
This is not to discount or to criticize the natural emotional expression resulting spontaneously from a genuine spiritual experience, or the true spiritual language springing naturally from an honest heart. Far from it.
Some people are naturally emotional. Some are not. We shall see from the Scriptures that emotion and spiritual phrases of themselves are not the essence of spirituality. They may be the natural result, the honest and spontaneous expression of it; or, if deliberately generated and "worked up," put on for show and effect, they may be only its counterfeit. And the sad part is that those who deal in counterfeit always insist they have the genuine.
"By their fruits," Jesus said, we shall KNOW (Matthew 7:20).
It is important that we get a right balance.
2) The second class is well indoctrinated. Usually these people do not believe in much, if any, noise or any spiritual manifestations. They have a great deal of head knowledge, but most of this class have a great deal of misunderstanding, and often they have q***r personal theories resulting from misapplied, wrongly divided Scriptures.
They love to try to trap and corner others with the Scriptures, and especially do they delight in it if they are able to corner some minister. Arguing Scripture is their one great interest in life.
These misguided people believe their arguments, contentions and beliefs will win their eternal salvation, without real repentance, or living a surrendered, righteous life in Christ Jesus, showing the fruits of the Spirit in their lives.
3) And then there is the "faith" group. These say they are saved "by FAITH, and faith ALONE." They are not so much concerned about the Holy Spirit, and seldom mention such things as repentance, utter surrender or any need of submission and obedience to God's will and law. Their religion never works any miracle-changes in their lives. Since "Jesus died for our sins," we do not have to obey. "Just BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved," is their sole condition to salvation. The invitation of the ministers of this group is, "Give the preacher your hand, and the Lord your heart."
And when, later, you ask such "converts" what they did — what really happened — when they "gave the Lord their heart," they usually just look blank. They do not know. It really did not MEAN anything. It was merely a FORM. The churches of this class should be called social clubs — they are not soul-saving institutions.
4) Finally, there are those whose spirituality consists of a rigid standard of righteousness. In fact, they usually are so strict about following God's commandments that they fall into the error of keeping the strict LETTER of the law in their own strength. They are scrupulously honest, severely punctual, critically exact.
But, as Paul said of the strictest sect of his day, they are "seeking to establish their OWN righteousness," and have not "submitted to the righteousness of God" (Romans 10:3). And they are usually harsh, stern, critical, intolerant of those who do not live up to their particular ideas of righteousness.

THE TRUE SCRIPTURAL STANDARD
Now, let us turn to God's Word, and humbly seek God's standard of spirituality.
Of the true spiritual mind, God says to us, through Paul, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5).
But HOW can you have the mind that was in Christ Jesus in You? Jesus says: "Behold, I stand at the door [of your heart] and knock. If anyone hears My voice and OPENS the door, I will come in to him"(Revelation 3:20).
And Jesus meant exactly what He said! He will come in, through His Spirit, and literally LIVE His life of true righteousness in you, if only you will surrender all of SELF and let Him IN.
"But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, IF indeed the Spirit of God dwells IN you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, HE is NOT HIS." Unless His Spirit abides within you, living His life of true righteousness in you, you are not a real Christian! "And if Christ is IN you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness" (Romans 8:9-10).
When God first begets us as His children, He takes us who have been proud, worldly, sensual, disobedient. His aim is to make us like Himself. This transformation (not reformation) is a tremendous undertaking. It requires a miracle.
God stands pledged, upon real, thorough repentance and faith in Christ (Acts 2:38), to start the performance of this tremendous miracle by putting His Holy Spirit literally WITHIN you! But God will work the complete change in your life ONLY if you are willing to SUBMIT to the process!
The FIRST condition is real, deep, thorough repentance. You will have to be willing to accept correction and repeated chastisements at His loving hands, for "whom the Lord loves He chastens" (Hebrews 12:6).
The spiritual mind is the surrendered, yielded mind. It is the mind that has given up all wanting its own way. It is the mind that has been CONQUERED in its rebellion against God.
It is the mind that, henceforth, is willing to obey God no matter what the cost, and that continually studies God's Word, not to argue and strive and corner others, but to learn more of God's will, and to WALK in it!
It is a mind FILLED to overflowing with real LOVE for God and all fellowmen — even one's enemies and that has sympathy, patience and kindness for others in their ideas and beliefs, their faults and mistakes, that speaks softly, gently, kindly, that seeks only to help and to serve. It is the mind that has DIED to SELF.

TRUE SPIRITUALITY
The real spiritual mind can say with the apostle Paul, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but CHRIST LIVES IN ME" (Galatians 2:20). When you can say that, then you have the mind that was in Christ Jesus.
The real spiritual mind is a SOUND mind (II Timothy 1:7)!
To those being carried away with a false and pseudo spirituality, where real manifestations of the Spirit were being counterfeited by DEMONSTRATIONS of SELF in a fanatical emotionalism, Paul, correcting them, said, "Brethren, do not be CHILDREN in understanding"(I Corinthians 14:20).
True, Paul said to these same Corinthians, "I wish you all spoke with tongues, BUT," he added, "even more that you prophesied [preached]; for he who prophesies [preaches] is greater than he who speaks with tongues" (verse 5).
True, Paul said to those overly emotional Corinthians, "I speak with tongues more than you all; YET," he continued, "in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue" (verses 18-19).
And also he said, "God is not the author of confusion," and, "Let all things be done decently and in order" (verses 33, 40).
Let us get a proper balance, in the position of their relative scriptural importance.
"By their FRUITS," not by their tongues, their language, their emotion, their ability to argue, their empty profession of faith, their self-righteousness, said Jesus, shall we KNOW their true spirituality.
And the true FRUIT of God's Spirit is "love" first of all, then "joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). These things, expressed in living character, determine true spirituality.
These things are the expression of "the LOVE of God," which has been "poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit" (Romans 5:5), and thus the Holy Spirit in us is simply God's LAW in action in our lives, for LOVE is the fulfilling of the law.
And that, and that alone, is true Christian spirituality.

THE FOUR SUBSTITUTES
REAL spiritual-mindedness is the mind of LOVE, for God is LOVE.
So let us review our four SUBSTITUTES for spirituality in the light of God's Word:
1) "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not LOVE, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal" (I Corinthians 13:1). Did you ever hear one speak with the tongues of ANGELS? Spiritual TALK, "tongues" or "manifestations" are only a lot of wind, or a noise like beating old tin pans, if you have not LOVE.
2) "And though I have the gift of prophecy, and … ALL KNOWLEDGE," and
3) "Though I have ALL FAITH, so that I could remove mountains, but have not LOVE, I am NOTHING" (verse 2).
4) "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not LOVE, it profits me NOTHING" (verse 3).
What is it to have LOVE? The next four verses of this chapter tell. Here is TRUE spiritual mindedness: "LOVE is very patient, very kind." Are YOU? "LOVE knows no jealousy; love makes no parade, gives itself no airs, is never rude, never selfish, never irritated, never resentful; love is never glad when others go wrong, love is gladdened by goodness, always slow to expose, always eager to believe the best, always hopeful, always patient" (verses 4-7, Moffatt).
Read those four verses again, substituting your own name wherever "LOVE" appears. Try it as a test on yourself. It will tell you how truly SPIRITUAL you are. Let us seek more real, genuine SPIRITUAL-MINDEDNESS!

11/07/2024

NOT BY FAITH ALONE
Leroy Neff

Many people are relying on a dead faith and don't know it! Is your faith dead — of no worth whatsoever? Here's how to find out.

One early Protestant theologian taught, "The just shall live by faith alone." Because of this widespread belief, many people have falsely concluded that all Christians must do is have faith or belief in God — and that faith alone will save them.

"JUST BELIEVING"
This approach to Christianity of "just believing," without any action, has influenced many to live right on in their sins, without any real change in their lives. They have wrongly thought that living a Christian life is "just as easy as falling off a log" or that even "fools" can receive the reward of the saved, without changing their ways — if they just believe in Christ.
Just believing in or having faith in Christ is not enough. There are two opposite kinds of faith — living faith, and dead faith. Satan and his demons also believe in Christ. They know Christ is real, but that faith or belief will never save them! "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that — and shudder" (Jas. 2:19, New International Version).
The Protestant leader added one word to the Bible text, "The just shall live by faith" •(Rom. 1:17, Gal. 3:11, Heb. 10:38 as quoted from Hab. 2:4). He inserted the word alone at the end of this clause, entirely changing the God-inspired meaning.
The Christian must have faith — faith that is the gift of God, not something you work up yourself (Eph. 2:8) — but he must have more than faith alone. He must show that he has faith by what he does. "So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. But some one will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith" (Jas. 2:17-18, Revised Standard Version).
It is no wonder that because of such clear contradictions of the famed theologian's theory, he would brand James' letter "an epistle of straw." James does not agree with this man's "theory of straw" — the mistaken. idea asserting that faith alone is all that God expects of His servants.
James closes his comments on this subject by stating, "So faith without works is dead also" (verse 26).

HOW ARE WE JUSTIED?
Some of Paul's writings appear to con f1ict with the statements of James. James said Abraham was "justified by works" (Jas. 2:21). Paul says that we are "justified by faith" (Rom. 5:1). Does Paul disagree with James? The same Paul, in the same chapter, tells us that we are "justified by His blood" (verse 9). Why these three apparent contradictions — or are they really contradictions after all?
There is one rule of Bible study that should help clear this up. Remember the rule is that you add instead of subtract when putting the scriptures together. One scripture does not contradict another; rather, it adds to or further clarifies what the other scripture says. This will be evident when we read another statement from James.
"You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone" (Jas. 2:24, RSV). This should make it clear that the Christian must have works and faith (and this verse diametrically opposes the Protestant theologian's misguided assumption). Putting this together with Romans 5:9, it should be clear that a third ingredient for justification is also necessary, and that is to have the "blood" (sacrifice of Christ) also.
So a person is not justified by faith alone, any more than he is justified by works alone or by the blood of Christ alone. He is justified by all three.
Here is how the three fit together: A person whom God is calling must have faith in God, and ask for forgiveness of his past sins — that Christ's faith will be in him. Then, he must show his works by repenting and being baptized. Then God will apply the sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Christ's blood) to atone for or cover his sins. That is how a person is justified — made just — or forgiven of past sins.

NO NEED FOR WORKS ?
Is this all that is required of a Christian? No! Justification is just the beginning. He must continue in faith, he must continue in good works and he must continue to have his sins covered.
One who believes in faith alone, without having good works, has a dead faith — not a living, saving faith. We show by our good works that we have living faith. When God tells us by His Word to do a particular thing or to refrain from doing a particular thing, we show that we believe Him or do not believe Him by our actions.
It is obvious from many scriptures that a Christian must have good works.
Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 5:16, RSV). This positive statement shows clearly that He expects His disciples to have good works that can be seen by the world — by the unconverted people. Such works are not just nice thoughts or feelings that a person may have in his heart or mind.
Actually, everyone, including unconverted people, have works of one kind or another. A profitable servant of Christ will have good works that will endure the test of fire (I Cor. 3:13-15). An evil person, or an unconverted person, produces the "works of the flesh" as Paul makes clear in Galatians 5:19-21 ; where he lists 17 bad "works" of sin.
Some professing Christians, even ministers, deny the Christ they claim to worship by their works. Notice Titus 1:16, "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. "
In other words, they "believe on Christ" (that is, that He exists) but they do not believe Christ (that is, what He says, teaches or commands).
Titus reveals the nature of these evil works; in verses 10-15; they include — deception, false teaching, lying and teaching fables and commandments of men. The faithful Christian, on the other hand, should be just the opposite; he should be "zealous of good works" (Tit. 2:14).

JUST WHAT ARE GOD WORKS ?
What are these "good works" a Christian should have? James gives three examples. Let's examine them briefly so that we might better understand what James was talking about when he spoke of works with faith.
The first example concerns a Christian who sees one of his brethren without proper food or clothing: "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?" (Jas. 2:15-16, NIV)
If we have our needs supplied and then refuse to share them with a brother or sister who is lacking in even the minimum necessities of life, we do not have the right kind of works to go with our faith. We then have dead faith.
The second example that James gives is that of Abraham when he offered Isaac (verses 21-23). There are several other instances in the life of Abraham that show this same trait, but this particular trial was undoubtedly the most difficult of Abraham's life. No matter what God asked Abraham to do, he did it. There is no record of disagreement — no argument, no back talk. He obeyed all of God's commandments and laws (Gen. 26:5).
It is rare today for even some members of God's Church to do just what God asks them to do in His Word without a little "bucking," complaining, arguing or backbiting.
In carrying out God's Work in this time, we are sometimes asked by Church leaders to perform some task, but we drag our feet or bring up all kinds of reasons why we shouldn't do it or why someone else should do it. Abraham was not that way. He just simply and quickly did what he was asked to do. In plain words, Abraham obeyed God. That showed that he had living, not dead, faith.
From Abraham's example, it should be evident that 'obedience to God and His laws and His instructions are "works" that must accompany faith.
The third example James gives relates to Rahab and her receiving and protecting the Israelite spies when Israel was about to cross the Jordan River into Canaan.
"And in the same way was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?" (Jas. 2:25, RSV).
Notice the points James mentions. She 1) received the messengers and 2) sent them out another' way. James does not mention Rahab's sinful past, nor the fact that she told a lie, which violated God's law. She surely repented of those deeds, and they were not held against her. James emphasizes the positive acts that she performed for God's servants of that day, even at the peril of her own life.
She guarded the messengers God's servant Joshua had sent on an important mission. She received them with respect and offered whatever protection she could. Then she gave them instructions on how they could best avoid the enemy and possible death on their return home.
This is an example of a person who respected God's representatives when they were on a physical mission. Today the servants sent from God have a much more important spiritual mission.
As a result of Rahab's "works" she and her family were saved from physical death and were able to receive the promise to Israel of physical inheritance in the land of Canaan. This is an ancient type of real salvation and inheritance in God's Kingdom as a result of having real faith and works.

WE NEED LIVING FAITH
These three examples should enlighten us as to the kind of works we should have along with faith. Works give our faith life.
We are saved by the life of Christ (Rom. 5:10) — not by our works — and are given salvation as a free gift from God. But we are rewarded, or given our particular responsibility in God's Kingdom, according to our works. "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Rev. 22:12).
Everyone has either good or bad works. As Christians we need to be sure that our works are good. Faith, along with good works, is a living faith, and that -is the kind of faith we all need.