Faith is more than words. The Bible encourages us to live out our faith. Today’s Bible verse is short and to the point!
For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead. James 2:26
What does this say about the importance Christian action?
Can you think of good examples of faith and works?
This verse in its context is challenging about what we do, and how our faith is refelcted in our love and care in our world. (James 2.14-26)
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill’, and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder. Do you want to be shown, you senseless person, that faith without works is barren? Was not our ancestor Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was brought to completion by the works. Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness’, and he was called the friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. Likewise, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another road? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.
Pray for a generous and understanding response to those in need around us, and pray for the courage to speak up for their needs.
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