Faith and Works James 2:14-18 “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” Yesterday, I posted one of my “Now thats what’s up” postings. It simply said, “I would rather see a sermon than hear one any day.” I also included today’s reading. I was wondering, did you think about it? Was it just a quick glance or did it have an impact? If you follow James thought, youll see he’s reducing it down to Love (actions) speak louder than words. Let me illustrate. Its early Fall. The night is warm, the stars are shining and you’re watching your local team win their opener and the stands are full. Now picture this…it’s late fall. It’s cold, rainy and just awful out. The home team is losing big. There are few in the stands. In both scenarios, the people call themselves supporters of the Home team. Which ones are Fans and which are Followers? Is there a difference? Or as James puts it, whos a Hearer and whos a Doer? Love makes us want to please the object of our affection. True love supports in the worst of times. True love loves in good times or bad and in thick or thin. If we call ourselves Christians, we are saying we will support Christ no matter the cost. Our Churches are full of Hearers only. They are not hard to spot, just ask them to come out on a weekend morning, nice and early, and ask them to do some not so headline catching function like cleaning a toilet for others. Theyll disappear quicker than deviled eggs at a picnic! They want the benefits of being a Christian without wanting to pay the cost. They want to hear, but dont ask them to do. Doing has a cost and in the end, they dont want to pay it. James goes one step further. A person’s claim to Salvation can be called into question. (v14) No amount of words or works will ever pay our sin debt rather the proof of our words, are demonstrated by our actions. I may call myself a supporter of the home team, but if I only support when it’s convenient, or in good weather, or when it won’t cost me, I’m just a fan. A Follower supports no matter the cost. Time and time again, Jesus said, “Follow Me” and in Luke 9:23, He said, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Every Sunday we sit and hear our Pastors, God chosen Shepherds, bring God’s word. They call us to walk a walk worthy of the name Christian. All too often those words roll off us like water from a ducks back. We dont let them soak in and transform our hearts and minds, conforming us to Christ’s very image. (Romans 12:2) Have we, to become Hearers” only? We demonstrate our Love for God and His body, the Church, by being “Doers” of His word by BEING the service and sermon. Are you sitting in the stands? Is yours a Saving faith, or just head knowledge? Let’s Pray: Lord, our love for You must compel us to live as You did. You took the lowest place and served others. What more of an example do we need? Help us everyday to be “Doers,” people who arent afraid to pay a cost to say, God Loves you and so do I. Help us to love You more fully everyday, In Jesus Name, Amen!! Brought to you with Love by Living Witness Ministries. Please feel free to share, this as an outreach to others.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Mar 2014 02:07:55 +0000