Friday, August 12, 2011

Faith vs. Works (James 2:14-17)

What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
(James 2:14-17, NASB)

The next couple of days are going to cover some rather controversial verses.

James makes quite an argument about faith vs. works, and some say he contradicts other passages that speak to our being saved by faith in Jesus Christ (See Romans 3:21-28; 5:1-3; Eph. 2:8-9.) Salvation does come through faith in Jesus Christ and the belief and acceptance of His death, burial, and resurrection.

But James adds a dimension: The person who has true faith in Jesus, who has committed himself to Him, demonstrates that faith through service. Just as Jesus Himself served.

This means taking action against those who exploit others. I have friends who are active in the fight against sex trafficking. They are the hands and feet of Jesus as they go into the bowels of some cities to serve those forced into prostitution.

This also mean serving the “least of these” (Matt.25:34-46). Helping out at a soup kitchen. Volunteering at a local prison. Giving to organizations that provide food and shelter for the disenfranchised.

I believe a person is saved through faith. Forgiveness of sins and promise of eternal life comes through faith in Jesus Christ. But if she stops there, her faith doesn’t grow. If she’s not demonstrating her faith through service, her faith can become stagnant.

Don’t let your faith “die.” Go out and do something. Let the world see Jesus Christ through what you do to serve others.

No comments: