Mims Turley

My friends, what good is it to say you have faith, when you don’t do anything to show that you really do have faith? Can that kind of faith save you? If you know someone who doesn’t have any clothes or food, you shouldn’t just say, “I hope all goes well for you. I hope you will be warm and have plenty to eat.” What good is it to say this, unless you do something to help? Faith that doesn’t lead us to do good deeds is all alone and dead! Suppose someone disagrees and says, “It is possible to have faith without doing kind deeds.” James 2:14-18

Unfortunately we all know people who talk like Christians, say all the right words at the right time, but when it comes to getting their hands dirty and reaching out to others, for example, they are never there. Most churches will tell you it's always the same people who volunteer to help out at the soup kitchen, or to spend some time on a Saturday with AIDS orphans or to help with the pensioners’ tea.

This passage in James is one that Christians sometimes vehemently disagree about. It is very clear that James does not say we can work our way into heaven. After all, in John we read that Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way, the truth, and the life!” Jesus answered. “Without me, no one can go to the Father." (John 14: 6) and when the jailer asked Paul and Silas what he must do to be save they replied, “Have faith in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved! This is also true for everyone who lives in your home.” (Acts 16:31)

What James emphasises in this text is simply that the type of person for whom faith is reduced to two little words, "I believe" the expression of faith is watered down. This is the kind of person who will say  "have a nice day" to a homeless person and think they’ve done enough.

For James, faith begins with a word - the Word of truth that gives us life (James 1:18). And then we, who have received the Word, must reflect that Word to others. Faith is not static, it leads to action. If there is no action, it is not faith.

Are we really living our faith? Let each of us prayerfully do this little test today: On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 as the most important) how important to you are the things that are important to God, for example, sharing your faith with others or providing for someone else’s needs?  

Prayer: Lord, I must confess that I do not always live my faith as you require. My prayer is that you will lead me by your Spirit to live out my faith in action and obedience. Amen