Faith without works is dead. (James)

October 30, 2010 mondayswithmaria

One year ago today, I wasn’t sure if Edward would win the fight against “Festus”, his cancerous tumor named after a Gunsmoke character.  In his delirious state, he believed that the hospital staff was trying to kill him and that even his wife was able to poison a sealed water bottle.  I was impressed, however, with how determined Edward was to reach out to others in the name of Jesus even when he was hallucinating.  Once sane again, he was quick to ask his nurses how he could pray for them.  The hospital was just a temporary mission field on the way to “the year trip”, as we would call this ministry trip we are on now.

James says in 2:17, “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”  Jesus’ grace and mercy offers us salvation and forgiveness of our sins without having to do works.  Works are not required for salvation, because no one could do enough works, well enough to earn salvation.  What James is talking about is the fruit of our faith.  If you hear the good news and receive salvation, but do nothing with it, faith’s power is lost and dead to the kingdom of Heaven.  Without works, what good is your faith doing?

Would you be a Christian today, if someone else didn’t live their faith out through works?  Maybe you can relate to my story.  My grandparents lived their faith through works and introduced me to Jesus.  My neighbor took me to church where I was baptized at age 8 while my mother worked.  The Comptons opened their home every weekend for a home Bible Study and nurtured me from spiritual infancy into adolescence.  Then there were countless pastors, Sunday School teachers, youth leaders, and others who helped shape and grow my faith.  Would I be lost today without all of those people living their faith by their works?  “Yes.”  I believe so. 

“Faith was active along with [Abraham's] works, and faith was completed by his works…” (James 2:22)  Let our works demonstrate a living and active faith, as well as a deep love for our Lord.

My prayer today:

Lord, I’m guilty of an “almost dead” faith, at times.  I miss opportunities.  I turn away from opportunities.  I fear opportunities to demonstrate my faith at times.  Help me to show a living faith by my works.  Specifically, Lord, help me to share my testimony and the good news with the people I meet each day and other campers.  Forgive me for the poor attitude and lackluster performance in my spiritual work.  Lord, blind others to my faults and let them see your glory, grace, and mercy in place of me.  Amen

Entry Filed under: Christian living,Faith,Serving

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