James 2:14-24
James 2:14-16
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?
By: Bev Pacas
James 2:14-24
(14) What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?
(15) Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.
(16) If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?
(17) In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
(18) But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
(19) You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
(20) You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?
(21) Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
(22) You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
(23) And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. (24) You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
Faith That Works
John Wooden coached the UCLA Bruins basketball coach in the 1960’s and 1970’s. He is considered one of the greatest coaches of all times. In his book, They Call Me Coach, he wrote, “ I have always tried to make it clear that basketball is not the ultimate. It is of small importance in comparison to the total life we live. There is only one kind of life that truly wins, and that is the one that places faith in the hands of the Savior. If I were ever prosecuted for my religion, I truly hope there would be enough evidence to convict me.”
Wooden’s last statement is one that we all need to ask ourselves. If you were arrested for being a Christian, how much evidence is there to find you guilty as charged? Are we being the hands and feet of Christ or expecting someone else to take care of the needy in our world. If you want people to see you as a Christian show them. Words mean nothing if they are not followed up with action.
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? James 2:14-16
Our salvation does not depend on our good works as Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:8-9, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you cannot take credit for this, it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” But, real faith will change you. It will cause you to move when God says move, it will inspire you to act when you see someone hungry or without clothes or in need of a listening ear.
As James continues in chapter two he reminds us of the story of Abraham. “You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.” James 2:21-22
A pastor once shared with me that he thought every church should have a sign above their door that says “So What” as a reminder to all of us when we are leaving church that what really matters is what we do on the other side of these doors. Yes, it is important to proclaim your faith, but James reminded us more than once that faith without good deeds is useless.
Reflection Question: Would you be found guilty of being a Christian?
By: Bev Pacas
Camp Director