DEAD OR ALIVE
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? —James 2:14
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. —James 2:17
You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. —James 2:22
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. —James 2:26
He said he was a carpenter, but he never did any carpentry work. She said she was a doctor, but she never did any medical work. The boy said he was a football player, but he never played any football. The girl said she was a swimmer, but she never did any swimming.
It is easy to say something, but it is the actions that really show what a person is. Follow any person around for a few weeks without them knowing it and you will understand who and what that person is.
A person saying they are a Christian does not mean that they actually are one. Their deeds will prove whether they are or not. A Gallup poll said 77% of Americans identify themselves as Christians. 36% of the world’s population claim to be Christian. The deeds of this world do not back this up. Truly, if there were that many Christians who were sincerely following Jesus, this world would be a much different place.
I can stand on a used car parking lot and say that I am a used car, but that does not make me one. A person can say they are a Christian, but that in itself does not make them one.
What are the characteristics of a carpenter? A Doctor? A football player? A swimmer? That is how they will be identified as being authentic! So it is with those who claim to be Christians, sincere followers of Jesus. Their lives will show forth His characteristics. The faith they say they have will be active. They will not be C & E Christians (Christmas & Easter). No, they will be seeking to follow Jesus daily, moment by moment and they will be known by others that they are truly a follower of Jesus. Faith in Jesus will be seen as active in the believer’s life and not passive.
Do you and I have the authentic characteristics of a sincere follower of Jesus? May it be so!
Dear Father, may I truly live faithfully for Jesus. That is my desire. Forgive me for all the times that I fail in doing so. I seek to be a faithful follower of my Lord Jesus. May it be so!