Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
August 17, 2022
Read James 2:14-18
14 My brothers and sisters, what good is it if people say they have faith but do nothing to show it? Claiming to have faith can’t save anyone, can it? 15 Imagine a brother or sister who is naked and never has enough food to eat. 16 What if one of you said, “Go in peace! Stay warm! Have a nice meal!”? What good is it if you don’t actually give them what their body needs? 17 In the same way, faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity. 18 Someone might claim, “You have faith and I have action.” But how can I see your faith apart from your actions? Instead, I’ll show you my faith by putting it into practice in faithful action.
Good morning! Oh, what a beautiful morning!
There are those who are challenged by James’ words because they feel that some might misinterpret his words to mean that you can earn your salvation by doing enough good works. Quite the contrary, James is saying that as a response to your salvation your faith should lead you to doing good works.
James was particularly addressing those who come and claim the name of Jesus as they sit in church each Sunday. They dutifully place their offering in the plate, and they listen as God’s word is shared. However, that is where they stop. Believing in Christ is more than sitting in church as a spectator. The Word of God equals action and requires that we step out in faith and serve God. Only then will we feel the surging of the power of God through the working of the Holy Spirit within us.
Living a life of faith means that we are serving focused on the mindset of love as Christ modeled for us. Works do not justify us or make us righteous before God, nor are they the means to salvation. Rather, our deeds are the fruit that grows from one who is obedient to God’s commands and transformed by His grace.
Remember the story of the fig tree that bore no fruit. It is not enough to spend our time working to make ourselves strong, but we must bear the fruit to which we have been called to produce. When we give of ourselves we risk losing a part of our own self, but in losing we gain more than we gave as the Holy Spirit multiplies within us.
A few verses later, James said that, For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26) Joel Ryan, a Christian author, said, “Good works are fruit born and grown from a healthy faith. A life absent of good works and good fruit will often indicate a faith that is dead.” We are called to serve God joyfully as we journey towards our eternal life.
Loving and Caring God, Thank You for loving us. Sometimes we think that it is enough to come to church. We praise you and pray, and then we go home. Help us to take the risks that bring others to Christ. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: How can I joyfully serve the needs of others?
Reach out and Touch someone in need! Pastor Liz
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