But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2:20).
There are many things in life we can well do without, but there are at least seven things a Christian simply cannot do without. These are outlined in the following listing. The Lord Jesus Christ. Speaking of the heathen nations before Christ, Paul said: At that time ye were without Christ, . . . having no hope, and without God in the world (Ephesians 2:12). Christs shed blood. Without shedding of blood is no remission. Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, . . . But with the precious blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:22; I Peter 1:18,19). Christs sinlessness. The Lord Jesus was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Therefore, He could die for our sins. Faith in Christ. Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is (Hebrews 11:6). Faith-generated works. True faith in Christ inevitably produces good works. As our text reminds us, faith without works is dead (James 2:20). True holiness. Follow . . . holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). Genuine faith in Christ both receives His imputed holiness and also generates practical holiness in the believer. Heavenly chastisement. Unconfessed and unforsaken sin in a Christians life must receive chastisement from the Father. If ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye . . . not sons (Hebrews 12:8).
Without saving faith in the Lord, we have nothing of eternal value, but with Him, we have all things (I Corinthians 3:21). HMM