Devotion - Tuesday, October 4

I continue to read from the book of James. This morning's lesson is from James 2:14-26. This is the section of the book which is most often quoted, referred to, or sometimes critiqued.

James speaks of the relationship between faith and works. Those of us in expressions of the church where faith is both our response to God and a gift from God have concern when the issue of works surfaces. We are cautious (appropriately so) when works enters into the equation of salvation. We guard against any suggestion that we must earn our way into heaven. As a result, we look at James with a critical eye.

There are some verses which lack the clarity of the conclusion he reaches. He says, "So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead." With this, all of us should be able to agree.

It is not my works which bring faith; it is not my works which trump faith; but the works I do show the faith that resides within me. Here I would agree with James. It is unimaginable that I would be a person of faith and not also be a person whose good words reflects the central conviction of my life.

We will always need to make sure that it is faith upon which we are building our lives. We can never depend on anything else. But we can and must show that faith; we are to be about the good works which bear evidence of a life of trust in Christ.