Daily Devotionals

Pressure Point Week 5: Wednesday

Now someone may argue, "Some people have faith; others have good deeds." But I say, "How can you show me your faith if you don't have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds." James 2:18

What is your favorite food combination? Mine would have to be chocolate and peanut butter. For me, there is no better combination. Chocolate and peanut butter work together to be better than they would be on their own. Some things simply work together. For James, faith and good deeds work together to prove genuine faith and trust in Christ.

James 2 explains the importance of good deeds in the lives of followers of Jesus. In this chapter, He wrote, "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?" (verse 14). He continued teaching that when we see someone without food and clothing and wish them well, our well wishes are not very valuable. Then, he explained, "Faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless" (verse 17). This is a strong statement from James. Understanding some would argue that his teaching contradicted an understanding of faith, James said, "Now someone may argue, 'Some people have faith; others have good deeds.' But I say, 'How can you show me your faith if you don't have good deeds I will show you my faith by my good deeds'" (verse 18). He was explaining in this verse that faith and good deeds go together. If our faith is genuine, our good deeds will naturally flow. Faith and works do not compete. They work together to provide a true picture of genuine faith in Christ. 

If we have placed our faith in Christ, our actions should point to our faith. Our actions do not save us, but they point to our faith. The question is, do our actions point to the faith we speak about? Do we put into action the faith that we confess with our words? My friends, let's be people who put our faith into action so that people do not just hear about our faith in Christ; they also see it displayed. This kind of faith lived out through our actions is a powerful testimony to the world around us.

Moving toward action

Memorize James 2:18. Let this verse come to mind often. As you commit this verse to memory and meditate on it, let it remind you that faith always points us to good deeds and living differently as a result.

Going Deeper

James 2:1-26

"My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?

2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. 3 If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, "You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor"-well, 4 doesn't this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? 6 But you dishonor the poor! Isn't it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? 7 Aren't they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?

8 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 9 But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.

10 For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God's laws. 11 For the same God who said, "You must not commit adultery," also said, "You must not murder." So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.

12 So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. 13 There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.

14 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? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 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?

17 So you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

18 Now someone may argue, "Some people have faith; others have good deeds." But I say, "How can you show me your faith if you don't have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds."

19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can't you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

21 Don't you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. 23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: "Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith." He was even called the friend of God. 24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.

25 Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. 26 Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works."