Faith Into Action

Faith into Action

Faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. 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 2:17-18

Let me explain the apostle James’s thinking in a modern-day context.

Imagine a husband and wife from Boston—die-hard New England Patriots fans—coming to Indianapolis to tour the Colts complex, including our practice fields, coaches’ offices, and meeting rooms. I can assure you that the visitors would have a great time because the Colts have great facilities staffed by even greater people. And let’s say that when the couple walks out, they declare a newfound appreciation and allegiance to the Colts based on how moved they were by the experience. I am a bit biased, but I can see that as a very understandable reaction.

The couple heads home and lands at Logan International Airport in Boston, and as they are walking past the gift shop, the husband sees a Patriots jacket. “You know,” he says, “my Patriots jacket still has a mustard stain from last year that I can’t get out. It’s time to replace it.” And so he buys another jacket, while his wife calls to renew their subscription to New England Patriots Daily News.

Did they have a great visit in Indianapolis? Sure, I suppose. Was it life changing? Did they truly bring the Colts into the core of their being? Well, based on their actions when they returned home, it doesn’t seem so.

In his letter, James points out that our works shine a light on our faith, leading us to impact the world around us and possibly leading others to a relationship with Christ. But we can’t earn our way into heaven with any amount of good works. The apostle Paul makes that clear to us in his letter to the church at Ephesus when he says, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God” (Ephesians 2:8).

Grace is free, but our behavior demonstrates the true condition of our hearts—and whether or not we really made a decision within the core of our hearts to accept that free gift.

What about you? Do you think of faith and works as two separate things? Saving faith results in actions that emulate God, the one who gives good gifts.

Uncommon Key > It is by grace, not works, that you are saved. However, your works may shed significant light on whether you ever had the moment of life-changing salvation that Christ offers.