James 2:14-26 "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. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God.Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."
James was definitely on his soapbox with this one, wasn't he? In my opinion, he's basically saying, "If you faith that God can do something - go out and show the world what God can do."
If you have faith that God can heal the broken-hearted - go out and pray for the healing river of God of flow into the broken hearts of the people around you. God has a wonderful way of laying a certain person that you see, on your heart - step out and show what God can do!
If you have faith that God can heal physical bodies - when you see someone with a physical ailment - put that faith to work!
If you have faith that God can deliver people from addictions - by all means, pray for them to be set free!
In Matthew 5, verses 14-16, Jesus says, "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
We aren't born again into the family of God to just sit around and talk about being in the family of God... we are called on to demonstrate His power, His love, His patience - His mercy - His grace - His glory - to a world that doesn't know the love and power and etc.... that we know.
Smile as people walk by, let the Light of Jesus shine through you today!
Screen Door - Rich Mullins ( a little light-hearted -- but makes sense)
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