On Friday night at Fully SIC we looked at James 2:14-26. I love some parts of this passage, they are just such a slap in the face – sometimes to me, sometimes to others. Especially this bit:
18But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe–and shudder! 20Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works…
It’s not talking about faith in anything, it’s talking about faith in Jesus Christ:
3He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. Hebrews 1
It’s also saying that if your actions don’t reflect that faith then how much do you really trust what you claim to believe? Fairly little from the evidence.
I’ve heard so many people say “Oh yeah, I believe in God. Just be nice, I’m sure you’ll get to heaven.” Really? That sounds too easy to be true…
Living in faith is much harder and easier than just confessing faith. It is harder when you live in a way to prove your faith. It is easier when your confession is true and Jesus lives it our for you.
Amen to that.
Living in faith is much harder and easier than just confessing faith. It is harder when you live in a way to prove your faith. It is easier when your confession is true and Jesus lives it out for you.
Oops. Sorry about the duplication. It didn’t act like it went through.
Heh, no worries. It probably took Spam Karma a few extra seconds to decide you weren’t spam. I should put a note somewhere that says that 🙂