Our attitudes and actions throughout our lives either validate or invalidate our faith. We cannot separate faith from obedient actions to God’s Word [prophetic guidance], because together faith and actions make a whole. It’s like the body and spirit coming together at creation; it’s worshiping God in Spirit and then living the Truth (John 4:24).
When a believer has genuine faith, they produce works of love and compassion; they manifest the heart of Jesus in the natural realm. If a person claims to be a believer, but never produces the righteous fruit of God’s love, then it is likely they have had a religious experience but not tasted an intimate relationship with Jesus. Religion based on Jesus’ work on the cross for salvation may connect people to God’s family which is good, but a personal relationship with Jesus calls for the applied Truth that brings new life and transforms the heart.
In our passage today, James presents several examples of faith in action, by highlighting the faith and deeds of a Jewish man, Abraham, as well as a Gentile woman, Rahab. Abraham was a man of faith; a wealthy and respected person [a friend of God]. Rahab was a woman of faith with a questionable reputation; an innkeeper and marginalized woman of little importance [but later is listed as a mother in the lineage of Jesus]. Yet, both of these people demonstrated their faith in God by their actions. Both Abraham and Rahab are biblical heroes of the faith; most assuredly both were affirmed as a part of God’s family in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, because they put their faith to action (Gen 12:1-3; Josh 2:8-11).
You and I must do the same each day. We want our faith in God to be genuine and powerful. Anyone can attend a church, temple, mosque, or synagogue; that takes only a decision and does not translate into a life that pleases God. Instead, like Abraham and Rehab, believers in Christ must not only verbalize the truth, we must put the truth into practice. I pray we take the opportunity by faith in the compassion of Christ, to share good deeds, today.
James 2:17-26 NLT
17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”
19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?
21 Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. 23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. 24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.
25 Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. 26 Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the conviction of the Spirit who guides us into genuine faith and good deeds. Help us to remain stable, loving and humble in our actions. May the faith we proclaim honor your name and your compassionate mercy. May we continue to grow in this personal relationship with you, Jesus; to know the Truth that sets us free. In Jesus’ name. Amen.