Faith, Deeds, and Active Belief

Wednesday's full reading: James 2:18-3:18

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?" (James 2:14)

"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." (James 2:17)

"Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do." (James 2:18)

"As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." (James 2:26)

James does not mess around with small talk; he gets right to point and arrests any immature thinking about faith being merely a belief in something. The way I have come to interpret and apply these verses in my life is that genuine faith is "actively believing" in Christ. It is more than head knowledge; it affects not only my thinking, but my everyday actions. My life must be characterized by a continual belief in Christ.

Today, as an act of worship, come before the Lord and praise him for the gift of faith. Yes, the faith itself is a gift from God. Seek to strengthen your faith by actively trusting, believing, and following his plan for your life.