James 2:18-20 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (19) You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe–and shudder! (20) Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
Faith without works is dead. Works doesn’t save a person, but they are truly an indication of ones faith and belief in what the Bible tells us should be our response to living a life for Christ. As a new believer I was excited to start doing something for the Lord. Because of my eagerness in this new faith I was allowed to help lead youth at our church, I hosted a home group in my home; I was so excited to “do” good things for God. Eventually I was burned out trying to do so much and it took many years to realize that I was really trying to gain the acceptance of God through my works. I would be at every church function, help whenever needed, and tried to control what I did and said so people would see I was in a good standing with the Lord. Unfortunately it caused me to get frustrated and finally question whether God even cared about my “good works.”
The works James is talking about is not that. It is not trying to figure out what God wants and spending time doing it to please Him. The works James is talking about is the response that comes from spending time with Jesus. It is a genuine work to the Lord that will benefit others from a heart of love and gratitude to Christ. It is one thing to say that “I have faith.” It is quite another to simply respond to the faith in your heart by serving others. It isn’t to gain favor with God since you and I already as believers are in His favor through Christ. Because we have favor we are exercising our faith by helping others. Being busy in church and in our community can be a good thing, but if it comes from a heart of guilt or obligation it is not what James was intending here.
Simply believing in God is not enough. James tells us that the demons believe that God is one… and it freaks them out! Having faith in God is not enough. Simply believing in God and not responding to it is foolish. Some may think that since they believe in God and said a prayer in high school it’s all good between them and God. Unfortunately, that isn’t the Gospel! There is nowhere to be found in the Bible that one can believe in God, say a prayer to have Jesus in their heart, and then end up in the end in heaven.
Paul tells us in Philippians to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. The free gift of eternal life was given to each one of us without any need to earn it. However, how we live it out is a reflection as to whether or not it is genuine in our lives. Striving for holiness, renewing our mind, and glorifying God through good works are all responses to the new creation we have become. Showing our faith through our works is a vital part of the Christian walk and is a good indication of the understanding we have in our heart for the value of the gift Christ paid on our behalf.
Prayer
Lord, help me today to seek you first. Show me through my time with you how I can serve you through the work I do. I want my life to bring you glory. Amen.