Faith in Action
James 2:14-17 My brothers and sisters, if a person claims to have faith but does nothing, that faith is worth nothing. Faith like that cannot save anyone. Suppose a brother or sister in Christ comes to you in need of clothes or something to eat. And you say to them, “God be with you! I hope you stay warm and get plenty to eat,” but you don’t give them the things they need. If you don’t help them, your words are worthless. It is the same with faith. If it is just faith and nothing more—if it doesn’t do anything—it is dead.
Jesus had some incredibly unsettling things to say about what sort of faith is required for us to enter into heaven. Incredibly unsettling. So, with your faith in the state that it’s in, are you in, or out?
Can I ask you a question? Your faith – is it alive or dead? Is your faith in Jesus vibrant and real, or do you rock along to church on the odd occasion and … well, you know, it feels like you’re just going through the motions?
Well, if it’s the latter, there’s a reason for that. Here it is:
James 2:14-17 My brothers and sisters, if a person claims to have faith but does nothing, that faith is worth nothing. Faith like that cannot save anyone. Suppose a brother or sister in Christ comes to you in need of clothes or something to eat. And you say to them, “God be with you! I hope you stay warm and get plenty to eat,” but you don’t give them the things they need. If you don’t help them, your words are worthless. It is the same with faith. If it is just faith and nothing more—if it doesn’t do anything—it is dead.
In this age of consumerism, all too many approach their faith as consumers rather than as disciples. It turns out that there’s a world of difference between the two.
Consumer faith is a hollow, empty, unfulfilling, dead faith. It’s no faith at all. Sadly, it’s all too common.
But a disciple’s faith, well, that’s completely different. It’s a doing kind of faith as well as something that lives in your heart. And although it may cost you everything, it’s vibrant, real and alive.
The bottom line? Faith without works is dead.
So, how’s your faith? Dead or alive?
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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