Today’s Reading: 1 Sam 12:1–13:23, James 2:19–26, Ps 119:81–96

Today’s Theme: Empty Faith

Faith without the corresponding evidence of genuine saving faith is as good as the faith of demons, empty, useless and futile. Our faith is in the substantive truth of God and His word. Biblical faith has no resemblance to new age and Hollywood flaky notions of “faith”.

1 Samuel 12:1–13:23

Empty things

And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. 1 Samuel 12:21 (ESV)

Samuel charges the people to follow the Lord and not empty things that cannot profit or deliver.

We need to hear this today too. It is the enemies plan to get us distracted with things that are ultimately empty and worthless.

We need to live our lives on purpose, we should not waste our lives pursuing vain goals or putting our trust in any substitution for the Lord.

Avoid the empty promises of idolatry and sin, instead follow the Lord in faith.

James 2:19–26

Useless faith

Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? James 2:20 (ESV)

Even the demons believe in God so believing in God is simply not enough. Faith that does not have corresponding works is completely useless.

James goes on to make the argument that we are justified not only by faith but by works accompanying that faith in verse 24.

James concludes the chapter by stating that works is like the spirit in a man’s body, remove the spirit and all you have is an empty corpse. Faith without works is dead, empty and useless.

Psalm 119:81–96

Firmly fixed

Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Psalm 119:89 (ESV)

God’s word is trustworthy, it is backed up by God Himself and is fixed. As a result it does not change with the times or cultures. The truth of God’s word is not relative it is absolute and final.

God’s word is not empty, it is solid, firm and fixed. We can put our faith in it today.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on James 2