GOOD WORKS IS THE BREATH OF FAITH

 

The book of James gives us a very good analogy for vibrant Christian living. It says, “Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works” (James 2:26 NLT). We all know what happens when people stop breathing—they die. At the end of Jesus’ crucifixion, for example, He announced: “It is finished!” then He bowed His head and released the spirit (see John 19:30). Without breath, Jesus was pronounced dead!

Our faith needs to be alive and active if we claim to be Christians. If not, it will be categorized as dead. How can we claim that the Spirit that gives us life lives in us, and yet not exhibit the signs of life? We need to take a serious look at our claims and make sure they are not false. If faith without good works is dead, then good works are what we need to keep faith alive.

What do good works look like? Good works are actions that make a person right with God, like trust and obedience. For example, Moses fled to Midian to get away from the Pharaoh of Egypt, who wanted to kill him for a murder he had committed. Although he had fled for his life, he obeyed God and returned to Egypt to go and free the Israelites. He obeyed God because he trusted Him to keep him safe. If we can’t trust and obey God, then what good is our faith?

  Obedience should then direct us to meet the needs of others, show kindness, love them (see James 2:15-16), and forgive offenses. In short, we should love others as ourselves. James uses the example of a brother or sister with a need, you could meet, but don’t, and instead wish him or her well (see James 2:15-16).

There are many people who claim they believe in God, but don’t have a personal relationship with Him. We can’t really expect such people to have good deeds because they don’t have the Holy Spirit working in them. Those of us who are the temple of the Holy Spirit (Christians) should be able to demonstrate faith in tangible ways. James expresses it like this, “I will show you my faith by my good deeds” (James 2:18 NLT).  

My family has been the recipient of the good works of many godly people who didn’t know us from Adam, but in the name of love, took us in and treated us like family. God has shown my family His amazing love through the obedience of His children, as well as through unbelievers. The needs they met included housing, transportation, encouragement, and friendship. I pray that the Lord will be gracious to the descendants of these dear saints of God. And may He make me a blessing to others as He sees fit.

In order to keep faith alive, we need to demonstrate trust and obedience towards God, and love and serve others in Jesus’ name. Dear brother, dear sister, is your faith dead or alive? Your works should tell you!