First Works
PART I: FAITH
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 KJV
1 Corinthians 2:7-16 KJV
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But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
We see here in Corinthians that God’s wisdom can not be understood in the carnal mind, and neither can it relate to things of the world. Because it is in itself, not of the world. It only deals in things of the spiritual realm. It is important to note that the Spirit of God does not teach worldly wisdom. Meaning, the world cannot comprehend the teachings of God. Anyone who does not believe on the Son of God and have been imparted with the Spirit of God will not understand the matters of God. God only operates in the spiritual realm. Only those that are of God can understand His teaching. All others to them they will seem as foolish. I will go on as bold to say that inspirational messages given by those that claim God to inspire unbelievers are in vain and not of God. Not saying they can’t benefit and produce good results in the flesh. It doesn’t benefit the believer to teach Godly wisdom to an unbeliever. Verse 14 makes this clear that the natural man cannot know the things of God. The unbeliever must first become a believer and receive the impartation of the Spirit of truth and Holy Spirit in order to begin to hear the spiritual things of God. Once a believer is able to hear and discern the Spiritual truth, they are now able to walk in faith. Remember, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
James 2:1-9 KJV
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My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
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For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
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And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
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Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
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Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
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But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
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Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
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If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
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But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
Now that we understand the principle of hearing and the word of God. Let’s get a better understanding of faith. We see in verse 1 of James that instructions are given with respect to faith. He makes it clear that you cannot have faith with having a respect of person. He then describes the meaning of what that looks like. He uses extreme differences to relay a solid point and a vivid picture of what having respect of person looks like. This is not a conclusion of just rich and poor. As a believer operating in faith, how can we in our mind and thought judge a person based on an outward appearance. God has chosen the poor just as he has chosen anyone who loves him and has faith. Why do you despise the poor, you should know how they feel. For the same way the rich look at you and oppress you is the same thing you are doing unto the poor among you. If you should walk in the greatest commandment of love, then you will do well as the law does not have respect of person and treats all with the same love regardless of their worldly status. If you have respect of person, you commit sin. Why because in the law we know that we are not to judge. When we treat people differently based on how we perceive them we are casting judgement.
James 2:10-16 KJV
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So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
We are subject to the whole law as believers in Christ. Even one break in the law makes you guilty of breaking all. Please understand, we are no longer under the law by works unto righteousness, but we are fulfilled in the law through faith unto righteousness. When James wrote this, he was giving an explanation of how the law is now working through faith. Look at verse 12 he is clarifying a point. When you say you have faith and received the Spirit of God by faith you will fulfill the law. To fulfill means that you will still walk in what the law teaches. Your operation within your self would be guided by the Spirit of truth and the Holy Spirit in regard to the things of God. When you purpose in your heart to love as God has instructed, you deny the flesh of judgment, because love makes perfect the will of God in the flesh.
Romans 2:14-15 KJV
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Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
We can see Paul explaining the principle of how the law works through faith, when you believe in the Son of God with your heart, you are given the Spirit of truth and the Holy Spirit which teaches, guides, and instructs the heart in the ways of God. This result is outwardly displayed in the believer and show the works of the law in their every day behavior.
James 2:17-18 KJV
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Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
For this James makes a bold statement here in these verses because he knows what faith looks like. James makes it clear that you must have both, faith and works. The two, go hand in hand and operate together as one.
At this point we have covered the foundation of the believer up to faith. And the working of the law through faith. I hope you are able to gather a full understanding of what we are to do in order to receive faith. In the next lesson we will discover how to apply the faith into righteousness and receive God’s loving grace and mercy.