The topic covered in James 2:14-26 is a hotly debated subject among churchgoers. What does it mean that your faith is dead? Is James saying you earn your salvation by doing good works? I don't really think James is questioning whether his readers have faith. He questioned whether their faith was good for anything. He asked his readers to reflect on whether or not they were tapping in to the power of their saving faith. If you say you are saved, but you never utilize your faith to accomplish anything, what good is it? It's sort of like having a fine set of China in the cabinet but never putting it to good use. Yes, you have China dishes, but for what purpose if you never use them to serve your family or guests? I'm not questioning IF you have dishes; I'm questioning WHY you have dishes if you are never going to use them. I can assure you that Jesus did not die on the cross just so you could have a pretty display for your China cabinet of faith. He paid for your salvation so you will use it EVERY day of your life, not just Sundays or Wednesdays or holidays.
So, how can you tell if your faith is good for nothing? I propose the following 3 signs may indicate that it's time to take your faith off the shelf and put it to good use.
1. You trusted Christ years ago, and that was it. You believed in God that one day, that one time, but you have no stories of how your life in Christ is bearing fruit yesterday, today, and tomorrow. James gave examples in chapter 2 about Abraham and Rahab and how they exercised their faith. They didn't use their faith on just that one occasion, however. They were people with a lifestyle of faith, and they put it into action day after day, not just one time when they walked an aisle at Vacation Bible School.
2. You never talk about what God is doing in you, and nobody would guess that you are a Believer. DO NOT make your family wonder at your funeral whether they will ever see you again in heaven. DO NOT make your preacher lie about you. Be very clear. Be very intentional about sharing with everyone you meet that God is alive and at work in you each and every day.
3. You do not recognize the Holy Spirit's voice.
So, how can you tell if your faith is good for nothing? I propose the following 3 signs may indicate that it's time to take your faith off the shelf and put it to good use.
1. You trusted Christ years ago, and that was it. You believed in God that one day, that one time, but you have no stories of how your life in Christ is bearing fruit yesterday, today, and tomorrow. James gave examples in chapter 2 about Abraham and Rahab and how they exercised their faith. They didn't use their faith on just that one occasion, however. They were people with a lifestyle of faith, and they put it into action day after day, not just one time when they walked an aisle at Vacation Bible School.
2. You never talk about what God is doing in you, and nobody would guess that you are a Believer. DO NOT make your family wonder at your funeral whether they will ever see you again in heaven. DO NOT make your preacher lie about you. Be very clear. Be very intentional about sharing with everyone you meet that God is alive and at work in you each and every day.
3. You do not recognize the Holy Spirit's voice.
- Knock knock
- Who's there?
- Holy Spirit
- Holy Spirit who?
- See. You just proved my point. You don't recognize the Spirit when he is knocking on your heart's door asking you to put your faith into practice.
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