(James 2:20) But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
Isn’t it great to be saved by grace? You didn’t have to work for your salvation, it was a free gift. (Eph 2:9) not of works, lest anyone should boast. That’s from Paul, the apostle of grace. But flip the coin and you have James who said “. . . faith without works is dead” So to balance out the two we would say that you don’t work to be saved but because you are saved. I like that. That’s balanced. But I ask you . . . have you flipped your coin? What are you doing for heaven’s sake?
It’s time to turn the theoretical into the practical. That’s what James is trying to say in his book. Don’t just think it . . . do it! Be helpful, not just hypothetical. Get into action and out of the academic. Listen to brother James:
(James 2:19) You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe; and tremble!
(James 2:15-16) If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
Wow, James, you’re tough and gritty but I need your exhortation. How often I have good thoughts and intentions but do not act upon them. So, and so needs my help. Poof . . . the thought is gone. I’ve been thinking about sending a gift to that missionary. The thought disappears into oblivion. I’ll share Christ with that non-believer. Oh, but I need to pick up milk from the store. The visible plan becomes the invisible man. James just shakes his head. What good is that kind of faith?
So, I read my Bible, so I pray, so I go to church, so I do all the right things and so I should. But what am I doing for heaven’s sake?
Louie