Faith and Works
James 2:14-17 (NLT)
What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
Reflection
Have you ever had someone tell you that they love you, but act in a way that doesn’t show the same? Maybe they talked about you behind your back. Maybe they forgot something really important that you told them. Or maybe they ignored you for days at a time. Their words say one thing while their actions say another.
In these moments, the love they claim to have for you doesn’t feel real. It all seems like a lie. Why? Because like the saying goes, “actions speak louder than words.” The same is true of our faith. We can walk around proclaiming the faith that we have, but without works or actions to back it up, it means nothing.
As people of faith, we are called to a higher standard. We are called to not just have faith, but to let that faith influence the way we live. To be more generous with our time, talents, and resources. To be a comfort to those who are struggling. To spread love and joy to the people around us.
Our call as Christians isn’t just to have faith, but to let that faith impact our actions in order to impact the lives of the people we meet.
Action Steps
1. Is your faith a quiet faith, or one that produces good works?
2. How can you show your faith this week? Perhaps you could help a neighbor, be more generous with your finances, write encouraging notes to your coworkers, etc.
Prayer
God, thank You for providing example after example of what my faith should look like. Thank You for demonstrating what true love is. Help me be a light to the people around me by showing Your love. Help my faith impact the way I live. In Jesus’ name, amen.
What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
Reflection
Have you ever had someone tell you that they love you, but act in a way that doesn’t show the same? Maybe they talked about you behind your back. Maybe they forgot something really important that you told them. Or maybe they ignored you for days at a time. Their words say one thing while their actions say another.
In these moments, the love they claim to have for you doesn’t feel real. It all seems like a lie. Why? Because like the saying goes, “actions speak louder than words.” The same is true of our faith. We can walk around proclaiming the faith that we have, but without works or actions to back it up, it means nothing.
As people of faith, we are called to a higher standard. We are called to not just have faith, but to let that faith influence the way we live. To be more generous with our time, talents, and resources. To be a comfort to those who are struggling. To spread love and joy to the people around us.
Our call as Christians isn’t just to have faith, but to let that faith impact our actions in order to impact the lives of the people we meet.
Action Steps
1. Is your faith a quiet faith, or one that produces good works?
2. How can you show your faith this week? Perhaps you could help a neighbor, be more generous with your finances, write encouraging notes to your coworkers, etc.
Prayer
God, thank You for providing example after example of what my faith should look like. Thank You for demonstrating what true love is. Help me be a light to the people around me by showing Your love. Help my faith impact the way I live. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Posted in Tree Church Daily Devo
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