Working Out Your Christian Faith

The New Testament book of James is a workout manual for the Christian faith.

To be clear, no one can be saved by his works. Only by God’s grace can we be saved through faith in His Son— whom James calls “our glorious Lord Jesus Christ” (Jam 2:1).

Paul states plainly how we are saved: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us,” and “By grace you have been saved through faith” (Tit 3:5; Eph 2:8).

So how do works fit into the Christian life? Someone rightly said, “We are not saved by works

Steve Taylor Pastor Bethlehem Baptist Church

but for works.”

Faith in Christ is the root but good works will be the fruit. We are “created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Eph 2:10).

“Working out” our faith therefore, is a necessary part of our Christian living!

“Work out your salvation with fear and trembling” applies just as much to us today as it did to the Philippians in Paul’s day (Phil 2:12).

Just as we need to exercise and work out our bodies, we need to work out our faith!

And the book of James is full of exercises. Over 60 times, James uses imperatives to direct our energies and focus our efforts.

It reminds me of T-25 workouts by Shaun T. He begins one session by saying, “FOCUS! This is T-25 Beta Rip’t Circuit. All right guys, we’re going to work today. We’re working out our cardio, upper body, lower body, and abs. And your focus begins now.”

Let me also begin these March weekly articles by saying, “Your focus on James begins now!”

This month, we’ll get into these much needed workouts: #1 - Enduring Various Trials

(1:2–12); #2 - Obeying the Word (1:19–25); #3 - Showing Impartial Love (2:1–13); and #4Resolving Relational Conflicts (4:1–12).

Let us be workout Christians, not “name-only” Christians! Let us put on our workout clothes, work up a sweat, and exercise our faith! And all the while, keep in mind

It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Steve Taylor serves as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Kings Mountain.

St. Paul United Methodist Church N. Cansler Street 704-739-1256

Sunrise Baptist Church 208 Mail Road 704-692-3007

Temple Baptist Church 612 N. Cansler Street 704-739-4716

The Favor Center Church 602 Slater Street

True Gospel Holiness Church 1608 Shelby Road 704-739-6764

Unity AME Zion Church 948 Unity Church Road 704-228-0328 www.momsinprayer.org

Our Mission: Moms In Prayer International impacts children and schools worldwide for Christ by gathering mothers to pray.

Boyce Memorial ARP Church Edgemont Drive 704-739-4917

Calvary Way Holiness Church 1017 Second Street Pastor Clifton Morgan Carson Memorial Baptist Church 262 Sparrow Springs Road 704-739-2247

Central United Methodist Church 113 S. Piedmont Avenue 704-739-2471

Cherokee St. Baptist Church 421 S. Cherokee Street 704-739-7697

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Missionary Baptist Church 220 N. Watterson Street 704-739-8354

Mountain View Agape Church 506 Sparrow Springs Road 704-739-0160

New Camp Creek Baptist Church 863 New Camp Creek Ch. Road 704-487-7128

New Life Family Worship Center 428 Oak Grove Road 704-739-9371

Baptist Church 301 Oak Grove Road 704-739-5826

Penley’s Chapel Church 1805 N Piedmont Ave 704-524-4139

Peoples Baptist Church 1010 Groves Street 704-739-0398

704-739-7466

Second Baptist Church 120 Linwood Road 704-739-4216

Shady Grove Baptist Church 339 Shady Grove Road 704-739-8920

Vestibule AME Zion Church 2175 Vestibule Church Road 704-739-7961

Westover Baptist Church 114 Westover Drive

Advent Lutheran Church, NALC Member 230 Oak Grove Rd. 704-750-0171

Anew Beginning Baptist Church 415 Dixon School Rd. 704-473-1372

Ardent Life Church 420 Branch Street 704-739-7700

Arise Church 830 E. King St.

Bethlehem Baptist Church 1017 Bethlehem Road 704-739-7487

Notice:

Chestnut Ridge Baptist Church 618 Chestnut Ridge Road 704-739-4015

Christian Freedom Southern Baptist Church 246 Range Road 704-739-4152

Christ The King Catholic Church 714 Stone Street 704-487-7697

Concord United Methodist Church 2404 Tryon Courthouse Rd. Bessemer City, NC 704-629-3571

Cornerstone Church Of God 202 Margrace Road 704-739-3773

Cornerstone Independent Baptist 107 Range Road 704-737-0477