Wed.'s Devo - Faith and Works

Read James 2:11-18
In the Old Testament if you broke one commandment, then it was the same judgment as if you broke them all. Because you got the same penalty - death. In the New Testament we are under the law of grace that we might be forgiven of our sins. But we will be judged with the same measure we judge so if we want mercy, we better give it.
Our righteousness cannot save us and never could. We have to have mercy. In the same way our faith cannot save us if we do nothing with it. It has to be exercised in works. Good works are the things that God puts before you. For example: you run into a person who is needy and you have the ability to help him physically so you do what you can. To send him away with just a prayer is not going to help him unless that is what God specifically told you to do. Faith that is never tested by good works is not valid and won't save you. Our works validate our faith and visa versa, you just can't have one without the other.
Lord, show us the good works that we are to walk in. May our works give glory to you.