A DEAD FAITH HAS NO OUTWARD EVIDENCE

A DEAD FAITH HAS NO OUTWARD EVIDENCE!

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. —James 2:26

            I have spent some time recently in this passage (James 2:14-26). It is a powerful, challenging passage. Most of us have probably seen someone who has died.   We may have even been with someone who was dying and saw the moment their spirit departed and all that was left was a lifeless, still body. It takes both the spirit of a person and the body of a person to accomplish anything, any type of work.

            So it is with faith and works. Someone who claims to have faith, but does not have any outward works as evidence, according to this passage, is a foolish man (2:20). How many people claim to know God, but there are no works as evidence that they truly do? We are told that the demons have good theology. They even believe that God is one. They so believe this that they shudder, knowing their judgment is coming (2:19). Someone who says they believe is not enough. True belief will act (read Hebrews chapter 11).

            In this passage we read that both Abraham and Rahab believed and their faith was seen in their actions. Actions without faith are just a temporary activity that is self-motivated. Actions with faith have a motivation that comes from loving God and loving people. Faith and actions cannot be divided. They are melded together, interwoven. By themselves they are just as dead as a person whose spirit has left their body.   But together they are impacting!

            The foolish man has faith without deeds (Matthew 6: 26; Luke 6:49). He may hear God’s Word but he does not put His Word into practice. He does not apply it to his life. He is not obedient. But the wise man, the man who has faith, hears God’s Word, puts into practice, applies it to his life and is obedient (Matthew 6:24; Luke 6:48). So the question is: Is there evidence of faith in my life, seen by my actions? You could ask the same question about your own life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gjXBMC8-oM

Oh Father that I would be hearing, practicing, applying and obeying Your Word. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus.   Not because I have to, but because I love You, love people and want to. So be it!