February 27, 2002
Dead Faith
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such a faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well: keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believer there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that-and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor 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. 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. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2:14-26 (NIV)
We know that Salvation is by grace and grace alone, through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. However, here is where we come to the truth. If you have truly come to a point where you have given the Lord your life and have come to that true Salvation, you are not the same! I am reminded in this passage of Hebrews 11 and all those who are listed there and the deeds they did. Now, when one truly comes to the saving point in their life when they give the Lord their life, they change! If you say you are a Christian, yet you have not changed, you need to look again. If you know Jesus, then you have changed. For some, that change came overnight, for others it took longer. However, the fact remains, they are changed!
If you say you are saved, but have no deeds, your faith is dead. If your faith is dead, then it must not be faith. If you say you have come to Jesus, yet you do not desire to live a life that glorifies him, then maybe you have not come to Jesus at all. What I am saying here is that if you are a true believer, you act like one. Not that you don’t fall on your face, but overall, you are changed and changing, becoming more like Jesus every day. If you see one who is hungry, you feed them. If you see one in need of clothes, you clothe them. If you see one who is hurting, you comfort them. If you know there is an area in your life that is not in accordance with the word of God, you are working with all your might, to let the Lord change you and bring you into agreement with his word.
Our churches are filled with those who say they have faith, yet there are no deeds that show this. We must speak with our voices to tell others why we are different, but they should notice enough difference between us and the world they ask us why we are so different. If you work in a secular workplace and do not stick out like a sore thumb, could it be that you are not living a life that brings glory to God? In your church, are you the one who stands for what the word of God says and acts upon it? In your home, do those around you see a difference from what you once were? Is this difference in your attitude, your actions, and your very countenance? If you were to stand trial as a believer, would your actions find you guilty? What evidence would those around you use to convict you of your belief in Jesus? There is no middle ground here. You either are for God or you are against him. Where do you stand?
Father, I thank you for this word that faith without deeds is dead. Lord, let me be found guilty of my faith by my actions. Lord, let me see the needs of those around me and meet them. Father, in Jesus name, change me into the image of Jesus. Lord, let me stick out like a sore thumb everywhere I go. Let all around me see Jesus in me. Father, for each who is riding the fence in the workplace, cause that fence hurt them till they get off of it! Lord, in this day, you pour out your spirit upon your people and make us different. Father, in Jesus name, I will do what you want me to do, now show me what it is. Lord, in Jesus name, let me not hinder your work in my life or in the lives of those around me, in Jesus name, amen.
All rights reserved: Amy Seelbach
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