THE STORY OF JESUS: James 1-5
“Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:17)
There is no such thing as true faith that does not work itself out in love.
If I say I believe in the love of Jesus but don’t show it, do I really believe in Him?
Faith that does not express itself in good deeds in incomplete… and therefore not faith.
James is responding to a problem among believers… what Bonhoeffer called ‘cheap grace’.
“Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession… Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
So many claim to be ‘born again’ or ‘saved’, but do we see evidence of it in the world?
Why do the lives of Christians often seem little different from the lives of non-Christians?
This isn’t about adding some good deeds to your resume, to look good before God and others.
It is a heart that overflows with love for others, including the unlovable.
It is a heart changed by God’s love and mercy, eager to let others experience it too.
The Lord is gently challenging me to look at myself: is my faith overflowing with God’s grace?
Is faith and action working together in me, is action completing my faith?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, help me to go through my day eagerly looking for opportunities to put my faith into action by loving and blessing others.