Is Your Faith Evident?

~~~ Isaiah 50: 5-9a ~~~ Psalm 116 ~~~ James 2: 14-18 ~~~ Mark 8:27-35 ~~~

 

"...What good is it, my brothers,

if someone says he has faith but does not have works?

Can that faith save him?"

 

"...faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

 

"...faith without works is useless..."

 

 

James goes on in this chapter to give examples of works being connected to faith.

 

He cites Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son as a result of his faith in God.

 

He reminds of a seemingly insignificant woman.

 

"...Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she

welcomed the messengers and sent them out by a different route..."

 

Faith and works or deeds go hand in hand.

If you do have faith then it most assuredly

will be made evident through your works.

For if you do not believe in the love and mercy of God

how you treated others might be of no concern.

 

Faith alone will not be your golden ticket to heaven.

If you but pay lip service to your 'faith' what good is it?

 

While it is true that we hear Jesus recognizing a person's

great faith thus granting them their petition.

The person has taken some action in coming before Jesus.

If they did not believe at some level he had the power to grant their request

we would not be hearing about them in the scriptures.

 

Finally James sums up faith and works with these words...

"...For just as a body without a spirit is dead,

so also faith without works is dead..."

 

Faith cannot be just an empty shell.

Faith must be the force urging you to take action.

Faith begins within and it brought to fruition by what we do for others.

 

 

James leaves us with some pretty clear words.

Go forth and spread the word of God.

It is by faith that we are able to do unto others as we would

have them do to us.

It is through our faith that we can forgive those who trespass against us.

It is through faith that we can pray ...thy kingdom come.

 

It is through faith that we can put our agenda aside

and trust in the Lord.

It is through faith that we can deny ourselves.

It is through faith that we take up our cross, continuing the journey.

 

May your faith continue to flourish through your good works.