READ: Ezekiel 37,38; Psalms 141; James 2
SCRIPTURE: James 2: 14 What
good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no
deeds? Can such faith save them?
OBSERVATION: Sometimes, we see people with ironic names who have no
relevance between their names and lives. For example, we may see a person who
has not even a single and small house (or a homeless person) but has the name
Maharaja (which means a great king). Some Christians misunderstand James 2:14 and
find it contradictory. If a person reads James 2:14 out of its’ context, s/he
may misunderstand and misinterpret it. Here, James does not say that we are
saved by works/deeds. There is no doubt that we are saved by grace through
faith, “not by works” (Eph.2:8,9). When we read James 2:14-26, we understand
that the premise of James’ argument is against nominal faith. He is not speaking
about saving faith. Instead, he
writes about practicing faith as the way of life. We should not forget that James
writes this epistle to Jewish Christians who go through persecutions and trials
for their faith in Jesus Christ (1:1,2). If they had believed that it is not by
faith but by works we are saved, they would not have faced any suffering. For
the law teaches exactly the same.
The keyword to
understanding the proper meaning of this passage is “such faith.” In verse 19,
he says, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe
that—and shudder.” As we all know, demons’ faith is dead faith and useless.
Here in 2:14, James points out of a person who claims to have faith but does not
practice or show it in actions. Such nominal faith is useless. Saving faith
does not end with our confession of faith. It calls us to practice and live out
our faith in life. Our works cannot/never be a source for our salvation; a
faith that does not produce any works is not a faith at all. Our faith in God
is real and living faith, and it is practiced in every aspect of our lives as
we daily walk with the Lord Jesus. A Christian is someone who believes in God
and makes his faith his /her way of life. May God enable us “to spread the
aroma of the knowledge” of Christ in all places through our lives (2 Cor.2:14).
APPLICATION: I am called to believe in the living God. I am justified
by faith, not by works. However, my faith in God motivates me to produce good
works in obedience to God’s word (Eph.2:10). As I remain in Christ, I become
useful to others and bear good fruit (Jn.15:5). I must be “careful to devote”
myself to doing good deeds, for they are “excellent and profitable for everyone”
(Titus 3:8,14).
PRAYER: Good God, thank you for the good works you have
done in my life. Lord, thank you for your salvation. Holy Spirit, give me your
power to live a life of faith that helps people to see God through my actions.
- Arputharaj Samuel
+91 9538328573
Day – 324
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