Faith Without Work Is Dead!
- by Stanley George
"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." -- James 2:17
Faith! The very foundation of our belief. The hinges on which we operate everyday. James proclaims that faith is dead, if we do not back it up with works. The Apostle Paul dedicates a whole chapter in the book of Hebrews to convey the importance of faith. He goes on to reference the lives of saints that have gone ahead of us to tell us the importance of faith. But almost like a postscript, James, the brother of our Lord, says faith without works is dead.
What does James mean when he says that faith needs to be backed up by our works? When we read the book of James, we see a recurring theme - we should be active Christians. He says that we should apply our faith to our everyday life … that we should be like Christ in every way. James boldly states "… show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do" (James 2:18). The writing of James almost mirrors that of Apostle Paul. He reminds us that even the devil believes that there is but one God … that without faith, we are no better than the devil. Like Paul, he provides examples form the lives of Abraham and Rahab. Abraham shared his faith when he laid his only son, Isaac on the altar. The chain is complete only when our faith is combined with our works. In verse 22, the reader sees that by works Abraham's faith was made complete. The result was that "Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called the friend of God."
Jesus showed us from his life what he expects from us. He said a good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. If he has to lay it down, there has to be danger present, but through the danger he shows his love by sacrificing for his sheep. Jesus also said what you did for the least of these, you did for me. He also stated that, if you gave even a cup of water in my name, you will be rewarded. We must display the fruits of our faith, so the world may see and be blessed through us.
It is also crucial that we look at the other side of the picture.
We read about those individuals who said to the Lord; we have prophesized and cast out demons in your name. But the Lord's response was: "I never knew you." What a response! I never knew you. The Lord is saying to these individuals, I never knew who you were. I could never understand where you stood. They were called "wicked and unfaithful servants and workers of iniquity." God is not looking for people who look like a worshipper; but for real worshippers - those who conform to the likeness of the Son. If we do take on the image of the Son, we will eventually be told: "Well done thou good and faithful servant; now enter my rest."
If we need an example as to who to follow; we should follow our Lord Jesus. In Isaiah 61 we read the prophetic word about Jesus: "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, … to comfort all who mourn … to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."
This is what is expected of us - to put our faith to work. To comfort, encourage, generously give, pray for those around us. If this is done, God's name will be glorified and he in turn will bless us and we too will one day hear: " Well done, thou good and faithful servant."