Chicken Soup

Faith without works is dead.

James 2:20

I believe some chicken soup will help Johnny get over his cold,” said Grandma as she put a chicken in the pot, peeled some vegetables, and prepared the tonic. Later that afternoon, she said, “I believe those flowers need some water.” She filled her watering can and gave them a good dousing. “I believe I need a good night’s sleep,” she said that evening and headed toward bed.

Grandma’s “I believes” were all followed by activities, illustrating a vital point: we behave according to our beliefs. As James put it, “I will show you my faith by my works” (2:18). Faith leads to action, and faith in God leads to obedience. He hasn’t asked us to put our trust in warm, fuzzy feelings about Him. He tells us to put our trust in the revelation He has already given—His Word. When we obey, we are exercising faith. If you want an accurate measurement of your faith, see if you’re obeying God’s commands.

George MacDonald once said, “You can begin at once to be a disciple of the Living One—by obeying Him in the first thing you can think of in which you are not obeying Him. We must learn to obey Him in everything, and so must begin somewhere. Let it be at once, and in the very next thing that lies at the door of our conscience.”