The Un-Series: Week 2 Day 4

James 2:18-24

18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

The Protestant Reformation had five pillars, one of them was that we are saved by faith alone (Sola Fide). Our faith, according to the story of Abraham, Paul, and now James, makes it clear that our faith is a living influence on our actions. Your faith, if it is real, must have real life impacts, meaning changes in your life should reflect your faith. Your life does not earn you salvation, rather your life is the evidence held up against your claim that Christ is the King of your entire life. 

Let’s take a moment and look at what evidence of faith with action you can find in your own life. What does your time with God look like? Are you studying His Word, glad to obey, and trusting Him in the good and bad? How have you treated people who you work with or who may work for you? Have you been honest in what you say and do with family, friends, and co-workers? Have you served anyone without thought of benefit, recognition, or personal gain? These are very basic things that do not secure our eternal hope, but they do give evidence of who we love and know. The great apostles all the way back to Abram believed in God, and they lived differently because of that belief. 

Does your own life reflect your belief in God?