“What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”
You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?” - James 2:14-20
An old Scotsman operated a little rowboat for transporting passengers. One day one of the passengers noticed that the good old man had carved on one oar the word "Faith," and on the other oar "Works." Curiosity led him to ask the meaning of this. The old man being a well-balanced Christian and glad of the opportunity for testimony, said, "I will show you." So saying, he dropped one oar and used the other called Works, and they just went around in circles. Then he dropped that oar and plied with the one called Faith, and the little boat went around in circles again---this time the other way around, but still in a circle. After this demonstration the old man picked up Faith and Works, and plying both oars together, sped swiftly over the water, explaining to his inquiring passenger, "You see that is the way it is in the Christian life.”
Faith AND works. Both equally necessary in the life of a Christ-follower that’s moving forward.
Faith is a wonderfully powerful thing. It helps us through crisis... it resets our perspectives... it keeps us anchored in the storms of life.
Works are important too... the active component of a life that is honoring God. Our works allow us to be the hands and feet of Christ in the lives of others.
Which is more important?
Both.
According to today’s verse, James tells us that faith must produce good deeds or it is “dead and useless.” What does this mean? Simply believing isn’t enough. God calls us to do so much more. He actively seeks a relationship with us and wants us to trust Him in all things. He also requires us to live an active servant life.... to help those that need it.... be generous with our resources... give, serve, love, help, and sacrifice. He wants us to treat love as a verb... to commit to a life that honors Christ by emulating Him.
It’s important to note that James isn’t talking about earning salvation. Many read this verse and assume that the faith he is referring to is the establishment of a relationship with Christ. Not so. Your commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior requires only a confession of faith. When we pray to ask Jesus to take over our lives, the scripture says that we secure eternal life. This life can’t be taken from you and you can’t lose it.... that prayer of faith that you prayed is steadfast and you will spend forever in eternity with your Creator.
What James is challenging us with is our day-to-day faith. When crisis comes... is it enough to just say “God’s got it!” or does God want more from us. James tells us that we are to take an active role as the hands and feet of Christ in the lives of those enduring that crisis. We can’t just brush people off and blindly assume that God will handle it. God is more than capable of doing so... but it shows true faith when we dive in, sacrifice, provide, and care for others. When we do so, God uses us to bless others and our faith deepens in the process.
My challenge to you today is to seek opportunities not just to tell others that you believe... demonstrate it for them. Serve...love....give... just like Christ. It’s doing both of these that help us reach our God-potential and change the world.
