James 2:14-18
14“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17Thus also faith by itself if it does not have works is dead. 18But someone will say ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
Last week in my Romans course I am currently taking the professor raised an argument between Paul and James. In which, we were to study the arguments and explain where they were stemming from and how to resolve the solution. Now, they were both arguing from different perspectives with different reasonings. What stood out to me was from:
James 2:18 “But someone will say ‘You have faith and I have works. ‘Show me your faith without your works and I will show you my faith by my works.”
The word complication came to mind. Verse 18 is such a solid and straight forward verse. But, we as humans tend to complicate it and make it more than necessary. As our faith in Christ grows so should our walk with Christ grow as well.
James says it without causing any room for questioning after he writes these verses. When my walk with Jesus Christ is true and intimate and I am one with Him. My actions, works, results from where God is leading me will be evident and shine through so others can see not my doing but the work inside of me that Christ is doing.
Often, times the work that He wants to do inside your life gets shut out or overridden by fear. Scared of what others around might think or even how you will think of yourself. But, I am here to encourage you to be totally sold out for Christ. Allow Him to lead and guide your life. Be a witness for Jesus and show others what He is doing in your life. Not boastfully but in humility, wanting others to see another work that Jesus Christ is doing. And that He is using you as a testifying witness.
When Jesus leads you He will meet you and equip you for the things He is preparing you for. Allow your faith to shine through for the gospel and be a living witness of Christ. We limit our capabilities, gifts, what we think we should do or say. But, God is limitless. In that He wants to take us deeper and deeper if we only allow it.
~ Amanda Green