The Book of JamesНамуна

Today's Devotional:

We have arrived at the heart of the book of James. He dares to ask the question most Christians have asked: “What is real faith or genuine faith?” James’ answer—genuine faith is what you believe about God and actions you take based upon that belief because genuine faith is always revealed in what it does!

Up to this point in the book of James, we’ve seen that genuine faith will be tested and emerge stronger, that true believers shouldn’t just be hearers of the Word but doers, and that true believers will love their neighbors and not show any partiality or favoritism to anyone.

Notice what all these previous descriptions of faith have in common—genuine faith will be seen by its works and actions. In other words, James reaches his watershed moment with these verses, summarizing his point beautifully: what use is a faith that is invisible and does nothing?

James even gives an illustration. A fellow Christian needs proper clothing and is hungry. If a person says or “claims” they have faith and sees this person but only responds with a quaint, “Go in peace and may you be warmed and filled in your belly,” James asks, what use is that?

James is incredibly blunt in his response to this action. He says in verse 17, faith, if it has no works or actions, is dead! But James goes further. The numerous pitfalls of a faith that exist only as words or beliefs in your head is a type of faith that’s no benefit to anyone (verse 14), it is in fact dead (verse 17), and that faith is comparable to the “faith” demons have (verse 19)! Ouch! What is James’ point with such stern language? He’s making sure we understand that a faith that does nothing is worth nothing.

But notice the corollary to this entire discussion: we can know if we have a true, genuine faith. How? Ask yourself:

How have you loved your neighbor today?

How have you served a friend today?

How have you made a difference in someone’s life today?

Why these questions? Genuine faith can’t stay hidden! As heat is to a fire, as oxygen is to our body, so are good works to a living faith. Faith isn’t just beliefs because beliefs always lead to behavior seen by all. So while that other type of faith has pitfalls, as mentioned above, genuine faith is active and makes a difference. The great reformer Martin Luther superbly summarized this point about genuine faith: “God does not need your good works, but your neighbor does.”

Amen!

---

Today's devotional was written by Pastor Randy Allison.

Questions:

1. This past week, how have your actions shown your faith to be a true, genuine, and saving faith?
2. Read Ephesians 2:10 and explain how this verse supports James’ main point.

Prayer:

Our Father in Heaven, thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross for me, and because of His actions, through faith, I receive all the benefits of what He did for me. And now, today, help me to live my life so that my actions make a difference and point others to you. I love you, amen!