Action is evidence
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
This is not a salvation issue although if you think about it, when you received your salvation, you believed by faith and then added the action of asking Jesus into your heart to be your LORD and Savior. When you heard the messaged that Jesus came to save you, you didn’t get salvation until you acted/asked. So salvation is actually an example of putting action behind your faith in God to produces results.
Today’s scripture is talking about ministering to the needs of others. The word love might be a better word to use for works. When you see someone is hurting or struggling, your faith goes into action in the form of compassion or love. If you see them and do nothing, no faith was applied to the situation and no love was demonstrated. The passage says that if you acknowledge the need of a person but do nothing, there was no faith involved. Notice, prayer isn’t mentioned in this passage. So if you see a need, by faith you are to meet that need. Not pray about it, not wonders if you should do something about it and certainly not ignore it. This kind of faith is where you must trust God that if you help someone through a problem, He will provide for you. As you give of your substance, God replenishes your resources so you can give some more.
Action is the very evidence of faith. Hebrews 11:1 says Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. According to this scripture, faith is substance that is seen in the physical world in your action of helping someone. You give substance of some kind to meet the need. Whether its food, shelter/clothing or money, the giving of it is the substance or evidence of your faith. The act may not be seen by anyone, but still substance was ministered and faith exhibited. I hope this is helpful to you to see that your faith is worth as much as you give into the needs of others or help them in some way to get through their struggles.
Today I want to encourage you to show your faith by your actions. To pull back or turn away is to show your fear/apathy, but to reach out, displays your faith. It doesn’t take faith to run away, but it does to give. Give of yourself and everything you have today to help, encourage and propel others through obstacles they may be facing and give substance/action to your faith.
Today’s scripture reading: James 2:14-26
