Thursday's Thoughts- Is Faith Enough?

This is a controversial topic among many Christians. Can you really get to Heaven on just faith? 

Most of the controversy stems from James 2 which has a lot to say about faith.

 From this chapter many people draw the conclusion that in order to get to Heaven you have to do great works, but I disagree. While I'm not saying that you can be a bad person and still make it to Heaven just because you have faith. That would be wrong.
Let me ask you a question. Picture a man that has sinned his whole life. He drank and did drugs. The state prison guards could tell you his life story because they heard him tell it many times. On this man's death bed he accepts the Lord as his Savior. He died right after he asks God to forgive him. If this man has never done a good work in his life will God turn him away from Heaven? I don't believe he would as long as the man was sincere when he asked for forgiveness.
Now let's look at a man who's done nothing but good things his entire life. He owns several charities that feed the hungry and give shelter to the homeless. The problem- he's a professing atheist. One day he dies. Will the years of helping others be enough to punch his heavenly ticket? Sadly, I think Jesus will say to him, "I know you not."

 Faith is the only thing you need to reach the pearly gates. However, the way you demonstrate said faith to the world is through what you do every day. If you tell a non-Christian about God and faith but turn around and do something like get drunk or arrested do you think they will listen to what you have to say? Most likely they will scoff and say, "Well that Christian is no better than me so why should I bother?"
Live like you are looking forward to living in the most beautiful place when you die because you are.

Abraham is probably my favorite example of showing faith through our works. To test his faith, God told him to sacrifice his only son who he had prayed a long time to have. This boy was Abraham's sole blood heir to everything he owned. Without hesitation, Abraham took his son to the top of a mountain. He had complete faith that if this was really the son that God wished to bring a great nation out of then He would provide another way.
Just as God had instructed, he laid Isaac on the altar and prepared to end his son's life. Before the dagger dropped God stopped him. Abraham had passed the test. God provided them with a lamb which the sacrificed in Isaac's place.
So is faith enough? My answer is absolutely but so is showing that faith to others through our works. Doing good things is important but don't let it stand in the way of your faith.
I hope that you enjoyed this lesson. Join me for part 3 In Whom I Trust. God bless.