James 2: 14-17
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or a 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? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
After this many years, my mission and ministry outside of professional work remains a mystery to me. I believe I am missing God’s voice in my life. What/where is my “action”? I long for a ministry involving more than giving money.
Holy Father, I am sorry that I am missing what you are telling me, or just not listening. Help me find ways to be generous with more than just money. Amen
Becky, transforming
pic by Tom
James 2:14-17
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have work? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
James helps us to see that genuine faith always demonstrates deep trust in God . It is not the ones who claim to have faith, but the ones who actually have faith who are saved. I believe that true faith always produces good…
James 2:14-17
17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
James is telling us that if we meet someone in need and we just tell them to have faith and we don’t work to help them, we are not doing what Christ wants. Faith alone cannot save them. We have to work to help others when they are in need.
Dearest Lord, always give me the grace to help those in need. Never let me question what I need to do, just let me do it. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
James 2: 14-17
The faith/works debate has existed as long as the church. it is not a chicken versus egg issue. While James‘ point that faith without works is dead cannot be denied, it is faith that prompts and sanctifies Christian works. Works themselves do not produce faith as the many genuinely good works of non-believers demonstrate. For the Christian, our good works are one of the ways we share ourselves with the One who created us and, by faith, saved us from the wrath to come.
Prayer - Loving God, use me to reflect Your love of humankind in good works done for others. May those works extend solely from faith and devotion with no expectation of reward. Amen
James 2:14-17 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
I look at the words “faith by itself” and think of people who attend church regularly, can quote scripture and take part in Sunday service. This is valuable to themselves and to the church community. James is pointing out that this is not enough. There are many ways to perform deeds that demonstrate faith, we just have to look around us.
Dear Lord I know that I could do more to show my faith. Your word helps me to realize that. Thank you. Amen.
James 2:14–17 As I continue reading, verse 18 ends with “ I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” Although we are writing about sharing this week, this verse speaks to the purest form of evangelism. People see your faith, not by your words, but by your actions. Faith and good deeds go together. It is our faith that makes us want to do good things in His name. That same faith makes us want to pray and praise him every week with fellow followers. Prayer: gracious God: I hope to always be able to minister to others in the way my talents allow. May people “see” my faith by my actions. Amen