September 14, 2018
James 2:17-26 Contemporary English Version (CEV)
According to the Bible, every child of faith is called to share “good deeds.” It is a natural outflow of spiritual salvation in the grace of God. Apart from the grace of God we are spiritually empty. God generously (even ecstatically) gives of himself pouring love into us and awaits our response. What will we do with what we have been given?
Good deeds are actions of obedience that come from having Christ as the Lord of our lives. Christ brings a lifestyle change; he shifts our perspective from our own inclination of selfishness and turns it toward his generous heart. The Holy Spirit helps us live each day with the desire to glorify God by releasing good everywhere we go, because in essence it is releasing God. True faith—a living faith—involves a commitment of one’s whole self to the work of God which must include good deeds.
In our passage today, James is reminding the early church that faith is more than a mental or emotional assent to God. As well, it is more than just giving a bunch of supplies to the needy. Faith is revealed in how we live each day in response to a loving God and being willing to share the love of Christ with others in tangible ways. This is the path of lasting joy. Live in his joy, today!