Today I read James 2 the famous chapter on faith and works. This chapter has more than just that though, although it's all connected. I especially like the part where James is almost mocking when he commends people for believing in Christ and thinking that's enough. He points out that the devils also believe in Jesus Christ and if all we do is believe, we are no different from them. That verse always makes me chuckle.But he's exactly right. The devils and evil spirits know exactly who the Savior is and fear Him. In someways they are more pious than we are!
However, the majority of this chapter is taken up by James' wonderful sermon on faith and works. He points out accurately that without works, our faith is dead because we are not acting on our faith. He gives a particularly poignant example of a brother or a sister who is both naked and hungry and the example of a believer telling them to depart and be filled and warmed but not actually clothing them or giving them something to eat. Are we really living our religion and having true faith if all we do is talk the talk but we never walk the walk?
The funny thing about this chapter, is I don't know of a single Christian religion that doesn't believe this is true. They just don't think of it in the same way. They believe that we need to be a good neighbor and do that which is right too. They believe we need to give to the poor and take care of those around us. They believe in showing their faith by their works, they just don't call it that. They get so hung up on being saved by grace and there is nothing we can do to save ourselves that they get all turned around when it comes to faith and get confused. They don't understand that there is a very big difference between the two.
Grace of course is God extending His gift of mercy to all those who qualify for it. That is grace, but we are talking about living the Gospel and its principles. We are talking about showing our faith by our works. That is why James' example is such a good one. As Christians, we are taught to take care of the poor and afflicted, why is it so hard to understand that what that means is to have works to go along with your faith? James just wants us to understand that if we just sit around and say "I believe" all the time but don't prove it, it's not enough. We need to make sure that when those opportunities to show we believe present themselves, that we take advantage of them. It's about treating others the way Jesus Christ would if He were here on the earth. It's about putting your money where your mouth is. Jesus never turned away any that were sick or afflicted. He spent His whole earthly ministry caring for those who were in need. If we are striving to be like Him, should we be doing any differently? That is what James means by showing your faith by your works.
Think of it this way. If you saw two people, one of them is walking out of church on Sunday dressed nicely and caring a Bible for all the world to see, you would probably conclude, most likely correctly, that he is a Christian. Now think about if you saw someone working at a soup kitchen, he has a smile on his face as he cares for those who need the food he is passing out. In his pocket you can see the corner of a pocket sized travel Bible. You would KNOW that man is a Christian and believes in Jesus Christ. But the difference is, you know the second man for sure is converted because he is doing the things God has asked us to do. Do you see the difference? We are confident and sure of the second man's faith because of how he is living his life. His works define and exemplify his faith. If we are true believers of the word, it will show in our actions. It will show in our daily lives. And that's all I will say on that. Until tomorrow.
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