Faith and Works

So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

James 2:17-18 ESV

There is a verse in the Bible found in the gospel of Matthew that is scary to many who read it. Chapter 7 records Jesus making the statement that not all who call Jesus Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven. We will pick up the text in verse 21.

"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. "

- Matthew 7:21 ESV

There is definitely a sense of foreboding that is around this verse. Many of us are people who claim that Jesus is our Lord, and we arrive at this passage in scripture and almost have to catch our breath wondering if we are going to make the cut. Truth is, not everyone who says that Jesus is their God and Lord has actually made Him their God and King.

If Jesus is truly your Lord, then your life should radically change. There should be a complete transformation of not only your heart and character, but that too of your actions, mind, and the trajectory of your life. If this is the case, how come we can go to school with people or work with people for years, and they not know that we are Christians though we profess to be.

God calls us to much more than a profession of faith in the gospel, but also to a living faith. A living faith is shown in our actions. Belief in Jesus and the placement of faith in Him as Savior and King will and should change a person. Actions are the manifestations of the individual’s heart and beliefs. If there is no change in a person after placing their faith in Christ, then scripture asserts that the faith is dead. James speaks to this issue that while salvation is not determined or earned by works, it is shown in works.

Paul in his letters to the Romans and Ephesians, cautions believers against two ways that our fallen natures can twist and receive the gospel in a manner it was never meant to be understood. One of these is assuming that the extension of grace from Christ and the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus is a life insurance policy, with the benefits to be cashed in when our time in this life comes to an end. The implications leave us with the ability to do anything because we will be forgiven for everything. However, faith in Christ invites us, by the love of God to step out of all sin and love Jesus by keeping His commandments. We are not to continue in sin but rather to pursue holiness. A faith or relationship with Christ that does not show love from us toward Him is no faith at all, for by continuing in sin we are neglecting the work of Christ and shunning the love of Jesus by offering nothing in return. The other side of this coin is the thought that in order to receive salvation we must earn it through our works.

This is so far from the truth and beauty of the gospel and is not what James is telling us at all. Salvation is by grace through faith! It cannot be achieved or earned; our efforts as finite human beings will always come up short. It is rather a gift that is given freely.

Knowing what this gift is and how it was given and who it was given by, if accepted with faith must change the way that we live. We are called to purpose and love, to war and make peace. Honestly ask yourself, “Is my faith alive?” and “Would Jesus know I love Him by watching my life?

Branden Caffrey, Grove City Football – To glorify God

Image byLubos HouskafromPixabay