Word of the Week - Faith in Action
“Faith by itself if not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:17
The age old question of the Christian faith; Are we saved by faith or works? The second chapter of James clearly articulates that both work together synergistically to fulfill God’s purpose for us as believers. Where faith and works meet is where the power of God comes alive. “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. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 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. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone” James 2:18-24.So what comes first, Faith or deeds? This is a mystery that I am not sure we fully understand but I can tell you from my personal experience that these things work together. In my early 30s I was very familiar with dead religion and found myself going through the motions of religious tradition and ritual. I knew that there had to be more to God and my walk of faith. In desperation, I began seeking God with an open heart and pursuing a more intimate and personal relationship with Jesus. By faith, and through showing in up and pursuing Him in new ways (action) I attended a business man’s small group/bible study where I surrendered my heart to Christ and was literally born again of the spirit of the living God at the age of 33. It was a life changing experience that has transformed me, my family and the trajectory of my life.Immediately after surrendering my life to the Lord Jesus my heart motivations radically changed. My mindset prior to this life changing experience was more from a religious perspective thinking I “should” do good works to offset my issues/sin so that I can be good enough to find grace with God with hopes that I might be just good enough to get into heaven one day. My prior perspective like most good church going people was that of good works vs. sin and trying to do at least 51% more good than bad. This made serving God more of a duty than a joy because I was doing it out of obligation. After my heart conversion experience at 33, I had the revelation that God put us on this earth to love and serve Him and His people with purpose. This is truly the abundant life that Jesus spoke about. This created an amazing desire in my heart to love God by serving Him through good works. This was simply my heart response to show gratitude for what Jesus did for me on the cross. Even though it is joyous to do the good works in faith it is still not easy because it requires hard work, sacrifice and commitment but it is most fulfilling.So as noted above in the second chapter of James, Faith without works is dead religion but if we have Faith grounded in a personal relationship with Christ, we will have a heart desire to do good works as our Faith in Christ grows. When we are attached to the vine of Christ, John 15:5, we will produce fruit and fruit comes through engagement as disciples of Christ. All that being said, let us never forget that we don’t earn our salvation through works “For it is by grace we have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast” Ephesians 2:8-9I pray you have a blessed Thanksgiving.-Duane