Faith Without Works is Dead

Acts motivated out of a living faith in Jesus are not the basis of our salvation, but rather the fruit of our salvation. The death and resurrection of Jesus is the only pathway for our intimacy with the Father. But our faith-filled actions are the necessary manifestation of this salvation.

Pray
Dear Lord Jesus, I want to listen and obey. Please show me how I can put into practice what you are telling me in your Word. Thank you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Read
James 2:15-17

Ask
If faith is to be alive, what does it need?
What example is given of putting faith into action?

Reflect
Many people profess belief in God. But is it a saving faith? James 2:14 says, "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?" The answer to that rhetorical question is "No." Faith that is not worked out in action does not save, indeed is not faith at all.

Acts motivated out of a living faith in Jesus are not the basis of our salvation, but rather the fruit of our salvation. The death and resurrection of Jesus is the only pathway for our intimacy with the Father. But our faith-filled actions are the necessary manifestation of this salvation.

What do these actions of faith look like? It's interesting that the examples in the book of James center around caring for the practical needs of the poor. James 2:15-16 says, "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?"

James 1:27 also says, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

Today, look for a way to practically confirm your salvation by serving the poor, the lonely, the forgotten. 

Meditate
James 2:26 - As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Apply
Pray for God's idea, then act. Ask him for a way in which you can practically serve the poor around you. As you sense his prompting, go and do it. If nothing specific comes to you, then still keep your eyes open. God will show you where to engage as you walk about today.