Faith is Reflected By Actions

Chuckle: A man sat in the pew, scratching and scratching. Finally, he minister stopped his sermon and asked, "Why are you scratching like that?" The man replied, "Cause I'm the only one who knows where I itch!"

Quote: “Faith, if it be a living faith, will be a working faith.” --John Owen

FAITH IS REFLECTED BY ACTIONS

"What good is it, my brothers, if a person claims to have faith but has no deeds?" (James 2:14 NIV).

We must be careful when we claim to have faith, that we are not just agreeing, intellectually, with a set of Christian teachings. Such an approach will result in an incomplete faith. The faith God honors transforms every aspect of our lives -- our conduct as well as our thoughts and attitudes. Unless our lives are changed by our faith, we do not actually believe all the truths of God that we claim to believe.

In our passage, God's Word tells us that the real evidence of our faith is in how we relate to others. Jesus teaches us to love one another, to minister to one another, to help others in their time of need. James makes it very clear that "deeds" that please God are the ones resulting from our genuine faith. "But some will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do (my deeds)"  (James 2:18 NIV). Faith is more than just words. When you come to know Christ, His life is reflected in you and the way you live. If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Would there be any witnesses against you?

Here are four basic characteristics of Real Faith: (1) It based on God's word; (2) is always centered on Christ alone - He is the object of our faith; (3) always involves the mind, emotions, and will; and (4) always results in good works/actions. "They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him" (Titus 1:16 NIV).

Ephesians 2:8-10 puts faith and deeds in perspective: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not of works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Jesus said: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21 NIV).

In conclusion, real faith and works/deeds are inseparable. "Faith and works are as inseparable as sun and sunlight. Faith is the sun; good works are its rays." Are you one who says you have faith but whose life shows little, or no, evidence of your faith. Has there been change in your life since accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord?

Love, Jerry & Dotse