We are now entering the crucial part of this letter from James. He doesn’t hold back as he calls out the substandard faith that Christians have if they do not follow up with works.
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2 v 14-17)
There is a faith that is dead. Faith is therefore meant to be alive. It is given for activity, production, creativity and nowhere is this more seen than in helping those in need. James’ heart is for the poor. He keeps mentioning them. This is different to the works that Paul dismisses which is the hope that our religious duties lead to salvation. James would agree with this position I am sure but his mind is this: if you confess you have faith then it needs to be seen and if not then that is a type of faith which is dead and dead faith never saves.
The ultimate is not just faith in Jesus, following Him and going to heaven.
It is also to live out that faith to those here on earth.
Imagine for a moment if every disciple of Jesus woke today with one thought only and that is to do good. To alleviate someone’s hurt, to listen to someone, to clothe and give food to the poor.
The immature enter ‘their’ church and are more interested in ‘serve us’ than ‘service’. After a while they begin to say ‘it’s not working for me here.’ NO. The church was never meant to work for you.
The mature follower of Jesus stops asking ‘who’s going to meet my needs?’ and starts asking, ‘whose needs can I meet?’
You don’t need a title or a trophy to do a good work. You don’t need training to be nice to someone, to help them smile and to make life a little easier. You just have to think less of yourself.
There is a faith that is not real. It’s not the genuine article. It believes one thing but does not act on it. It is self-centred. It stubbornly listens to the needs of the world around them and doesn’t do a thing. Faith with no deeds, no action, James tells us is dead.
Missions Paul 