Primary 131 - Living by faith

Living by faith requires work. Work is defined by the law. Living the law shows faith which leads to repentance which leads to following Christ more closely. 

Now that was confusing. Let's break it down. James 2:14-26 says...

14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 
16 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? 
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 
18 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. 
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Paul showed faith was an action! To have faith showed commitment. Covenants meant everything to this apostle of the Lord Jesus. The Apostle used history to show obedience and hard works and thus showed a balance of belief and work. That balance is called faith. 

Now how does faith and work lead us to repentance? When a student realizes how little they know they are drawn to acquire more, while the ignorant seek none of this as they do not know they could have more. The same goes for the sick. The sick who seek wellness realize how sick they were and will seek to be complete, well and whole. Those to wallow in their illness eventually die not knowing they could of been well or never sought it because it required work to be well.

Repentance requires work. We have to turn the ship around called the soul from the sin filled direction we have taken. If we were slow to sin, that turn around might be quick, whilst those at a rapid speed might need to slow down and turn around. That would take time,work and desire to change. Paul knew that too. That leads you our last point, following the Law.

We'll admit following the Law is not easy, requires commitment and will ask a lot of us. Also it is said that we will be judged by the law we abide by (Romans 2:12-13).

We are placed under covenant by baptism to feed the hungry and clothe the naked. We are to be examples of the Savior; to remember Him and keep His Spirit to be with us (the Holy Ghost). We strive to renew those covenants daily in study and prayer and weekly in a Sacrament, renewing the Covenant new and whole.

This is the blessing our dear beloved Savior gave us and Father in Heaven desired for us. The Holy Ghost strives to be a companion to a person that strives to keep that Law, not outwardly, but have it written in their hearts (Jeremiah 32:33-34; Psalms 119:11).

Brothers and sisters, take the time today to pray and reflect what is written in your hearts. We teachers love you so much. We want the hymns, Primary songs and scriptures written in your heart, but we cannot put it there, you must invite the Spirit to put it there and do nothing to chase it away. We love you as your teachers. Be good and be of good cheer. Times are tough but if you endure it we'll it will be your greatest blessing. This is our prayer for you in the name of Jesus our friend, Amen.

Brother Bingham and Brother Quan

Challenges
- Read Romans 7-13
- Count your blessings and give thanks in prayer for your blessings.
- Read the talk Is Faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ written in our hearts? By Linda Burton, General Relief Society President 

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