The littleness of all earthly things

(William Law, "A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life")

The Scriptures represent this life, and the greatest things of life . . .
as bubbles,
as vapors,
as dreams,
and as shadows.

Think upon the vanity and shortness of human life--and let death and eternity be often in your minds; for these thoughts will strengthen and exalt your minds, make you wise and judicious, and truly sensible of the littleness of all earthly things.

The greatness of those things which follow death--makes all that goes before it sink into nothing!

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Both apostles are right!

(William Bacon Stevens, "Waiting and Watching!")

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?" James 2:14 

The religion of Jesus Christ is made up of two parts--faith and works.

Faith is the root of works.

Works are the fruit of faith.

A belief, however true and pure, if it is accepted only by the intellect, and is not carried out into practice--translating the faith held by the mind, into active duties--is a barren faith, which will not be accepted by God, and which will not secure salvation. 

On the other hand, works, however good, which do not spring out of faith in the Lord Jesus, but which are done merely from human and worldly motives--are of no avail before God, because "whatever is not of faith, is sin." 

Thrice has James told us, "Faith without works is dead!" 

And just as distinctly has Paul declared, "By the works of the law, shall no flesh be justified in His sight."

Both apostles are right! 

Works without faith--have no living root. 

Faith without works--has no authenticating fruit. 

They are the two parts of the one tree, namely, the root and the fruit. They are the two halves of the one whole--together they make up the true Christian.

"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by works, is dead!" James 2:17 

Following Christ Is Not Simply a Decision

Making a decision to follow Christ cannot save you any more than being baptized can, neither praying a prayer nor walking an aisle can free you from the wrath of God that is to come.

Only REPENT of your sins and BELIEVE the Gospel.

Repentance is not only a mere apology, but a TURNING AWAY from sin, an agreement with God that we are wicked sinners, unable to please Him on our own, and belief is not simply a head knowledge that God is real or that Jesus existed, rather TRUSTING fully in the completed work of Christ to save us from our sin, allowing the Holy Spirit to direct your thinking and your actions through the Word of God (The Bible), anything else is done in vain.
Apart from Christ salvation is impossible.

Ezekiel 36:26-27
"Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.