Faith without works is a dead horse!

Throughout my whole Christian experience, I have thought that my life is about doing godly things and living a holy life. I thought that I was supposed to do a whole lot of good stuff to prove my faith in God.

But I think that I have been wrong.

But that sounds so good, right?

James said that faith without works is dead, didn't he?

I think that faith should be seen more as dependent action or maybe even dependent re-action.

James 2 does say that faith without works is dead. But keep reading....verse 19 says that the demons believe (have faith) in who God is: they even shudder! But they are not considered righteous. It goes on to say that Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. So what was the difference? Works! What kind of works? Not holy humanitarianism, but dependent reaction (aka, obedience!). God told him to sacrifice his son (the son on whom the promise was laid), and Abraham's belief that God would come through (faith) was manifested in his laying Isaac on that altar. He was counted righteous, not by faith alone, but by his works.

Let's talk about Rahab. James goes on to say that in the same way that Abraham was counted righteous, Rahab was counted righteous by her works. When she received the spies and sent them out by another way, she was not doing anything especially good. She was believing the promise of God and acting upon it. She believed something about God to be true, and lived her life as if that promise were true!

So it is not in our efforts to do a bunch of good things that our faith is proven true, but rather in our obedience to what God has already asked us to do. Faith is obeying the voice of the Lord, and knowing that we will fail if God does not act. But that obedience is essential. Taking the steps is what counts.

Heck, If God is telling you to do something for Him, He is going to provide for what He wants done!

Last thought: The end of Galatians 5:6 says that what counts is faith working itself out through love. If we are not walking out of an overflow of love, everything that you just read is worthless.

My charge to you is this: Love God. Listen to the Spirit. Take those steps.