James, 2
18. Now someone may say: “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works! But I will show you my faith by means of works.
18. Now someone may say: “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works! But I will show you my faith by means of works.
St. James 2 deals with the importance of a faith that manifests itself in actions, not just in words. The chapter emphasizes that true faith must be evidenced by works of justice and that faith without works is killed. Following are five verses related to the topics covered in St. James 2, in order of proximity to the chapter:
Romans 2:13: "For it is not the ones who hear the law that are righteous in the eyes of God; rather, those who obey the law will be declared righteous." This verse points out that obedience is essential to be considered justly by God, which relates to St. James' emphasis on the importance of works.
Matthew 7:21: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the will of my father who is in heaven." This verse points out that true obedience to God involves actions, not just words, which relates to St. James' theme about the importance of faith manifested in works.
Ephesians 2:10: "For we are His Fitness, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God in advance prepared for us to walk in them." This verse points out that God created us to do good works, which relates to St. James' theme about the importance of faith manifested in works of justice.
1 John 3:18: "Little children, let us not love word or language, but for works and in truth." This verse points out that true love manifests itself in actions, not just in words, which relates to St. James' theme about the importance of faith manifested in works of justice.
Galatians 5:6: "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has no value, but the faith that acts for love." This verse points out that true faith must manifest itself through love in action, which relates to St. James' theme about the importance of faith manifested in works of justice.
“O grau sublime da humildade é não só reconhecer a abnegação, mas amá-la.” São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina
