JAMES 2:18

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

TO PONDER

The book of James was one of Martin Luther's least favourite books of the Bible. He thought it focussed too much on 'deeds' or 'good works', and when you're fighting a battle with an institution like the Roman Catholic Church, as Luther was, about the place of Good works in the life of a Christian, you can understand perhaps why he wasn't a fan.

And yet, James is making a point which many of us could do well to hear again today. Faith is not just a list of things we believe to be true. That is certainly part of it, but certainly not the whole picture. Our most deeply held beliefs, we might call them convictions, inform our decision making and guide our behaviour. Our convictions, our beliefs, our faith, are visible in the way we act, the things we say, the responses and choices we make in every moment.

You can make a well reasoned theological argument in a debate and demonstrate what you believe with words alone, but it will never have the same power as a faith that is lived and exercised in the day to day business of living in the resurrection of Christ.

Churches have doctrine and statements of faith but these things are not faith by themselves, these things are only faith if they change us and do the work in us of conforming us to the likeness of Christ. it is faith in Christ that saves us and changes us. It is not faith in a articular branch of Christian theology or doctrine, it is not practicing your faith in a specific way or worshipping using one form of liturgical structure over another. It is faith in Jesus who says, "follow me". Following means doing what Jesus does. That's when faith can be seen and demonstrated.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you are the author and perfecter of our faith. I pray today that you would help my faith in you to be visible to others. May it be something that transforms and renews me each day in the power of your resurrection life so that others may see you alive in me. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle.