FAITH

"You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected" (James 2:22).

 

The word translated, "working", in the verse literally means "cooperating".  Literally then, Abraham's faith was cooperating with his works.  His faith and works came together as a team.  Abraham's works were needed in order to demonstrate that his faith was genuine, real, and authentic.  In the same way that apples on a tree demonstrate the vitality and authenticity of the apple tree, our works authenticate our faith.  We do what we believe!

 

Take a moment and think of something that you believe honors God. Now, take the rest of the day and attempt to demonstrate it through your actions.  Perfect your faith--let it bear fruit!

FAITH

"But someone may well say, 'You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works'" (James 2:18).

 

Faith can only be displayed through actions.  What you do declares more about what you believe than anything you might ever say.

 

So...what do you believe about forgiveness?  What do you believe about giving?  What do you believe about love?  What do you believe about grace?  What do you believe about worship?  What do you believe about prayer?  What do you really believe?

FAITH

"Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself" (James 2: 17).

 

Faith that doesn't act, is by definition, not faith at all.  Faith must act!  Words without works are just empty sentiments.  It's like my membership to the fitness club--which by the way, I have not been to in a week.  It's vain, empty, foolish, useless, of absolutely no benefit at all.  I have to go to grow.  I have to act to impact.

 

Today, let's put our faith into action and really do what we say we believe.

FAITH

"What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works?  Can that faith save him?" (James 2:14).

 

What use is it?  What's the advantage?  What's the point?  How does it make a difference?

 

This is the true test of faith--doing what we profess to believe.  There are I suppose a great many things about God that we profess to believe in and yet rarely act upon.  Words without works are empty and futile.  What we do says more about what we believe than anything that we might say.

 

Today, let's try to live up to our words...and perhaps speak with a little more humility...