Is faith in Jesus Christ all that is necessary for one to inherit salvation? Billions of believers say “yes,” that once one has accepted Him as one’s Savior one is in fact a friend of Jesus Christ, rendering one eternally “saved.” Does God agree? Let us consult His Truth for His answer. And let us accept HIS answer as THE only correct answer. We will now examine His answer as He speaks through His messengers.

In James 2:17-26 God shares a number of His Truths, among them the Truth that faith without works (obedience to His Word) is dead; that faith alone cannot save the soul; that we prove our faith by our works; that believing in God and His Christ accomplishes nothing; that Satan’s demons believe in Them and tremble; that faith without works is vain and renders the believer dead; that faith is made perfect by works; that as a body without a spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead. With these words God reveals that we must prove our faith in Him by obeying (working) His Words, Abraham being His prime example. In verses 23-26 the Lord states that Abraham was called the FRIEND OF GOD BECAUSE HE BELIEVED GOD’S WORDS. However, believing Him was not enough to make Abraham God’s friend. He had to prove his faith by obeying the Lord’s Words. Had he not obeyed them he would not be called God’s friend, would not carry the title of father of the faithful, would not be His standard of faith and would not be called “righteous.” Let us examine the FRIEND-OBEDIENCE-SALVATION CONNECTION found in the John chapter 15 passage discussed in the previous posting. To be continued. L.J.