In today's first 15 podcast, we're going to look together at the marriage of faith and works.

One of my greatest struggles is attempting to work with God rather than for God.

God cares deeply about our work and our impact in this life, but not because he needs us to serve him or work for him, but because he wants to work with us.

He wants to give us a picture of his goodness and love at work in the lives of others, and he wants to deepen our relationship with him by identifying and empowering us in our unique calling.

May we gain revelation today that would stick, that would transform our understanding and deepen our experience of the connection, the relationship between faith and works.

Welcome to the First 15 podcast.

Our scripture for today comes from James chapter 2 verse 26.

For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Work typically has a negative connotation in my mind.

I associate work with something I have to do, but don't feel like doing.

I separate out work from play or fun.

But with God, the word work couldn't be more different.

Work is designed to be the expression of our abundant, life-giving relationship with our Heavenly Father.

God doesn't call us to work out of obligation or to earn his love,

but to live our lives in response to His love.

And it's for this reason that Scripture is clear about God's intention

for the marriage of faith and works.

James 2, verse 26, says,

for as the body apart from the spirit is dead,

so also faith apart from works is dead.

What is our faith if it doesn't produce action?

What is the nature of our relationship with God

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