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? in the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead. James 2:14-17
I have known this verse since I was young but only recently has it seemed to bring new life to my Christian walk. The more I think about the Christian journey I cannot help but see that the greatest struggle for the Christian body is not belief but is apathy. When I was in High School I had a good friend who I met through Youth Group. We would skateboard together during the summers and hit the slopes in the winter. When we grew a little older he began hanging out with the wrong crowd. Over time my friend began to change as he found some new friends and started participating in some things that concerned me. I began to worry so i confronted him and asked if he thought his actions where good for his life. His response was, “Monty you shouldn’t worry because I still have my faith.” People often respond in this way. It seems that we approach the Christian life strictly through the lens of understanding and knowledge. As if we can define ourselves by our knowledge. We somehow are “Christians” solely because we know that Jesus is the son of God.
I think this can be a dangerous rut to get stuck in. Many people have limited their relationship with Jesus to memorizing John 3:16. And others Christians have spent their entire lives trying to study and define the proper, so they may gain better knowledge; which is a good pursuit. However, my concern for these people is that when we make the Christian life solely intellectual we are missing it. If faith without works is dead, than definition without application is useless. This is like having Tom without Jerry, Ricky without Lucy, Bugs Bunny without Elmer Fudd! To have an understanding of who Jesus is, but to never let Him change you is having mash potatoes without gravy! A TRAVESTY. (and seriously who doesn’t like gravy)
“Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that, and shudder.” James 2:19
As Christians it is important for us to seek not only to understand scripture, but to live it out. The evidence of our faith is what makes it so powerful! The effort in a Christian’s life should not be to just know what Jesus said, but to BE Jesus to others. The principle is that Jesus doesn’t just want our heads, he doesn’t even just want our rituals or habits, but he wants our hearts! If we want other to know Jesus! we should show Him to them, because actions always speak louder than words.
……………………………………………………………….. Monty Seaman
