Straight Thinking O33168 Dead Faith
Straight Thinking
O33168
DEAD FAITH
Sunday. In chapter 2 of his epistle, James, the Lord’s brother, fires away at people that do nothing about their belief in Christ. Like tracer bullets, his warnings come again and again throughout the chapter. “Faith, if doesn’t have works, is dead by itself”; “people are justified by works, not by faith”; “faith without works is dead.” His meaning becomes clearer if we use “belief” in place of “faith.” Believing does not change anything till it does something. (Read James 2:17-26.)
Monday. Other people can’t see what we believe in our mind; they have to look at what we do in our life. If all we have is intellectual belief that’s not demonstrated in practical action, no one where we study, work, or play ever profits from it, imitates our life, or glorifies God because of it. Besides, belief alone does not produce its benefits in our own life. (Read Matthew 5:14-16.)
Tuesday. If a cold, hungry beggar asks for food and clothes, I don’t help him much by saying, “I’m convinced that your biggest problem is what will get you first, the hunger or the cold; and I hope you find food and clothes.” The beggar would be colder than ever and hungrier than before. Faith without works: nobody is better off because of it. (Read James 2:15-16.)
Wednesday. The only claim some people may have on heaven is that Jesus ate with them and taught in their streets. They believed what they heard and saw, but they didn’t do anything about it. It’s not the one that says “Lord, Lord” but the one that does his will, that can enter the kingdom on Judgment Day. (Read Luke 13:25-26; Matthew 7:21.)
Thursday. Do what you can. God doesn’t ask for what you can’t do, but he does expect you to do what you can. A woman in Bethany anointed Jesus with expensive ointment, and he established a memorial testimonial for her because she did it in demonstration of her faith: wherever the gospel would be preached, the preachers should say of her, “She did what she could.” (Read Mark 14:3-9.)
Friday. Act now. The faith you have now you can measure by what you do now; good intentions don’t count. People young and old will end up lost because of good intentions. So to speak, too often they stood listening as the invitation hymn closed, “Almost, but lost.” (Read Acts 24:24-25.)
Saturday. Sinful people cannot earn salvation; God must give it, and indeed he has promised to give it to those who have faith, those who put their faith in his Son. God gives salvation, but we must have faith strong enough that we will act now on what we believe. He gives salvation by considering us righteous on the condition that we commit ourselves to the One who is righteous, which means committing ourselves to his values and purposes. Otherwise, “faith without works is dead.” (Read Ephesians 2:8; James 2:26.)
Virgil Warren, Straight, March 31, 1968, p13 christir.org