What use is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?
If you were to sit down in a chair you weren’t sure would hold you, how would that change your approach to sitting on it? Most of us would hesitate to sit down or at least do so very clearly. We can’t practice the faith we normally have in sitting down with ease in a chair that might let us fall. On the other hand, if we hesitated to sit in any chair, no matter how stable, or just chose to stand all the time because we were skeptical of chairs, that would show an absence of trust for this type of furniture. This is a silly example but this idea has real implications for our lives with Jesus.
It is easy to claim we believe in Jesus and do many things that give that impression, without ever living as He calls us. We can attend church, serve, or even invite people to church without being surrendered to the way of Christ. This is the danger James pointed to in this passage. While it is not our works that change us, the Holy Spirit transforms our lives to look like Christ when we surrender to Him. This is not just something we say by a confession, a prayer, or even things we do to prove our faith; it is a new life resulting from the transformation God has done in us. When we confess Christ but fail to ever live as though His way is the best, it is like saying we know a chair will hold us, but we are hesitant to ever sit down. This is not faith at all; it’s an observation. Faith is embodied is risky, but it is transforming and so valuable.
- Who has been an example for you of faith that is lived out? Why?
- What are some areas it is hard for you to live out your faith? Why? How can God help you through those challenges?
- Pray for God to open your eyes to where you are not living by faith in Him. Ask Him to grow your faith and display it in your works.
