Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Faith in Action: Living out our beliefs. 

Bible Reading:   James 2: 14-16 

 

Key Verse:  James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?

DEVOTION

The book of James is written by Jesus's brother and a leader of the Jerusalem church to the First century Jewish Christians residing in Gentile communities outside Palestine. The entire book shows concern for this persecuted community, which was once a part of the Jerusalem church. James tries to challenge the hypocritical practices and teach the right Christian attitude while living life here on earth.  
When we read only the key verse for today, we might stop and wonder, “Is James saying that we need to have deeds to be saved?”. Well, definitely not ... Salvation is received by believing in the finished work of our Christ on the Cross. We have been redeemed from our sins by believing that Jesus died on the Cross for you and me. However, when we believe we are sinners and accept Jesus into our hearts, the Holy Spirit starts its work in our lives to chisel and change us to be more in the likeness of God. So, the change He brings in our hearts produces changes in the way we are in our interactions in the environments we are placed in and the situations we face in life. James specifically mentions in this scripture reading an example of a Christian seeing someone in need of food and clothing and him turning a blind eye to his need. James challenges us not to just sit on our couches comfortable being saved but to sacrificially meet the needs in the communities we are placed in. That is the life that Jesus taught us to live on this earth. He said in Mathew 5:40“And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.” so if someone is even trying to take advantage of you give him more than he asked. So, if we see someone in need shouldn't we be doing more?  

We cannot just say we believe in Jesus finished work but not let that belief not move forward to impacting the world around us. James gives us a few starkly different examples when we read further in verses 19, 21 and 24. In verse 21 and 24 he gives examples of Abraham who by his faith was ready to sacrifice his son Isaac on the altar. And, Rahab, a prostitute, put her own life in danger by lodging spies and sending them in a different direction. These were both examples of individuals who had faith in line with their actions. And in verse 19, James says “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.”. the demons roam around the earth trying to deride those on the path to believing in God.  
As James challenges us, we need to ask ourselves this question, “does our faith establish the purposes of God in our life here on earth.

   PRAYER

Gracious, Heavenly Father, thank you for redeeming us from our sins and giving us hope for a bright future. Thank you for giving us the grace to be called Christians. We pray Lord, that with the Grace that You have given us, give us the ability to look at those around us. Help us to spring into action when we see a need or a purpose that needs to be met. Open our eyes to see the world around us through your lens.  
We pray all this in the mighty name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.  
 
Thought of the day

Faith and works are bound up in the same bundle. He that obeys God trusts God; and he that trusts God obeys God. He that is without faith is without works; and he that is without works is without faith. 
– Charles Spurgeon – 

Veena Thomas
The Mar Thoma Church - Staten Island

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