Tag Archives: James 1:3

Faith AND action


What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?
 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” James 2:14-19

What good is faith without works? James sums it up; “Faith without action is DEAD!” While good deeds alone are not the mark of a follower of Christ, true faith is always moved to action.

Faith loves and comforts. It heals and encourages. Faith reaches out to bring light into darkness and hope where there is only despair.  Faith checks up on people to see how they are really doing. Faith doesn’t just say, “I’ll pray for you.” Faith prays with others. Faith is humble. Faith gives and gives. It gives generously and cheerfully and not under compulsion (2 Corinthians 9:7). It gives generously out of its own poverty condition when others think there is not enough to go around (Acts 2:4-3). Faith doesn’t wallow in self-pity; faith perseveres and rejoices (James 1:3) even in the middle of trials of many kinds.

Faith keeps its eyes on the goal.

Like love, faith doesn’t give up. Faith demonstrates what it believes by what it does.

Faith sends encouraging notes. It invites people for a walk, a cool drink of water, for dinner. Faith shares truth with grace. Faith brings unexpected flowers. It pays the bill for someone in need. Faith smiles when others rejoice; it holds the hand of those who mourn.

Faith rises above an intellectual ascent to a truth. It goes way beyond most people’s concept of ‘religion.’ It exceeds the drive to just do good works. Good works are the result of true faith.  Faith is intentional in its actions. It reaches out to others and speaks value to their life.  True faith is always moved to action and those good deeds are always done with the intent of bringing glory to God, not ourselves.

 

Marcia y Deysi-sm

Marcia and Deysi, Bolivia

Got faith? Let it shine in the lives of others so they too can see God’s glory.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Jesus, in Matthew 5:16

Blessing through difficulties

 

There is a blessing hidden in every trial in life but you have to be willing to open your heart to see them. – Unknown

 

This devotional from Life Action Ministries offers a simple and good reminder about looking for the blessings found in difficult times.

 

Can God Bless with Trials?

 

Interpreting life’s events can be a tricky undertaking. Our instinct is to assume that if something bad happens, it’s because God is displeased with us. We then go on what I call a wild hunt for sin—that desperate search for whatever we’ve done to bring on our calamity.

 

To be sure, sin will bring with it trials (Proverbs 13:15). The problem is, trials don’t necessarily indicate that sin is present.

 

James refers to “the testing of your faith” in James 1:3. Think about those very words: faith (a good thing) being tested by the events of life. In other words, God responds to something good He sees in our life by sending trials to grow it.

 

One of the greatest challenges of the Christian life is learning to embrace the trials God sends our way as gifts from Him. We use so much energy trying to escape or fight the tough situations we face, that we fail to see they have actually been given to us by God.

 

Are you going through a trial? Ask God for wisdom as to its source. According to James 1:5, God will liberally and graciously answer.

 

What is the greatest trial you are facing right now? Whether it is caused by sin or testing, the Spirit will specifically show you if you sincerely ask for wisdom. If it is testing, take time to thank God for His commitment to your life in giving you this trial.

 

BT: Of course, we know all this. I think the real question is not, Can God bless us with trials? The real question for me is, “Will I LET God bless me through trials?” Or will we let our frustrations get in the way? Isn’t it time to let God have His way in us…for our own good?