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 (NIV)
Bottom line: The proof that you have faith in God is demonstrated through your obedience to his word.
Teaching
In the book of Matthew 21:28-31, the Lord Jesus recounts a parable of a man who has two sons to whom he gave assignments. He said one of the sons said, “Yes, I will do it” but later didn’t do it, while the other who earlier refused to do it changed his mind and did the work. Then he followed by teaching that, it is the son who ended up obeying his father’s instructions who pleased his father.
The above story illustrates the relationship that some Christians have with God. They say they have faith in God, yet their actions speak the contrary. Jesus said, “If you love me, obey my commandments” (John 14:15). Thus, the only way to prove to the Lord that you love him is through your actions. This teaching is even clearer as you read our verse of the day:
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 (NIV)
This scripture says that you can talk of having true faith only when your actions match your words. Therefore, demonstrate true faith today by acting daily On God’s word. This means that you should do what God’s word says i.e. preach the gospel to the untold, help the needy, heal the sick, deliver the demon-possessed, open your home to the homeless, assist the widows and orphans…When you act your faith by doing these, then you shall reap the benefits of your actions and attract more of God’s favor in your life (2 Chronicles 20:20).
Amen!
Further Study
- Mattew 7: 21 [“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.]
- James 2:24 [‘You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. ‘]
Reflection
- On a scale of 1 to 10, how much can you say you obey God’s word in your daily routine life?
- Can you identify the areas in your life where you haven’t been obedient to God?
- Now that you have learned that your actions prove your faith, what new steps will you take to correct these errors in your life?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for your word that has taught me that I must not only confess you as Lord over my life, but I must also act in the same light. Forgive me for the moments that I have been disobedient to your word and grant me the grace to obey you in every area of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
