James 2:18

Verse of the Day Devotion. James 2:18

“But someone may well say, you have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” – James 2:18

James here, in our focus verse, is linking the ideas of faith and works with the purpose of laying out what real faith is. In the first chapter we read, “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.” James 1:22-24. It is so easy to have an exalted opinion of ourselves. To think, I am a good person because I got to Church and bible studies, and I spend time in memorizing scriptures. Yes, these are good things, but are we doing what it says? The act of hearing the word without doing what it says is a way of deceiving ourselves. We think we are in better shape than we really are. We are  not acknowledging the truth about ourselves. And so, we need to be the doers of the word. Paul made this clear when he said, “for it is not the hearers of the Law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the Law who will be justified.” Romans 2:13. And that was the mistake that the Jewish people were making. They thought, ‘well, we have the law of Moses.’ Paul said, No, that isn’t enough. You have to keep the law of Moses.

Now, we come to chapter two. In this section, many think Paul and James are in conflict regarding their teachings. Paul teaches that salvation is through faith, faith alone. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10. Then James asks, can faith save? The answer is yes, faith can save. But it takes a true faith. We must ensure the faith we have is real. For when we do it will be manifested by our works. In other words, to just say you have faith is not enough, for faith on its own is useless because it is a dead faith. “In the same way, faith also, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” James 2:17. No one is really walking in faith if there are no works associated with it. If we are truly walking in faith, our works are going to be manifested to the world, showing our faith to be alive and real.

James then gives an example of what he was telling them. “If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,’ yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? In the same way, faith also, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” James 2:15-17. What profit is there if a man says he has faith, and he doesn’t have works? Can that kind of faith save him? No, it can’t. If a brother or sister is naked, or is destitute of daily food, and you say to them, depart in peace, be warmed, and filled; but yet you don’t give them any clothes or food; what good are our words? They can’t make themselves warm or take away their hunger. Under these examples of nakedness and hunger, he comprehends all the calamities of human life, which may be relieved by the help of others as food and raiment contain all the ordinary supports and comforts of life. How many people today will only be casual friends, where the most you can get out of them are, ‘God bless you, Christ help you.’ They can’t fill their stomach without works, for words only are useless. Just as faith without works are useless.

Now we come to our focus verse. “But someone may well say, ‘You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.’ James 2:18. It isn’t only the declaration of our faith. It’s the declaration of our faith that has something behind it. And the proof behind it is the works we do. Again, the works don’t save us. They only prove that we have true faith, and this does save us. And if we don’t have works that are corresponding to what we are declaring, then we do not have saving faith, just the declaration.  Simply verbal affirmation is not enough, and it never will be.

Pastor Chuck Smith, who founded Calvary Chapel before his death in 2013, put it this way. “Now a lot of people made mistakes, going forward, and saying the sinner’s prayer and then going away and living the same kind of life doing the same kind of thing. They say, “Oh yeah, I was saved. I went forward and I said the sinner’s prayer.” No, no, the sinner’s prayer isn’t going to save you. It is a living faith in Jesus Christ that brings about actual changes in your life and the proof is in the works, the proof of your faith. Your works have to be in accordance, in harmony with what you are declaring to be true.

Now, I want to encourage us all to examine our lives and see if there is any time we profess faith without works, which is the validation of our faith. If you find this, then pray that God will help you make the changes needed to make it right. God loves us and is ready to help us through this. The question that is most relevant is, are we ready to change?

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, President and Founder of True Devotion Ministries.

Philippians 2:13

Verse of the Day: Philippians 2:13

“For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” – Philippians 2:13

Have you ever felt that God seems to require more than you are able to do?  When I first received Christ, I read the scriptures for hours every day.  I learned a lot, but I would ask myself, how can I do all that is asked of me?

It is so important for us to obey His word and the calling He has given us.  Pray, hear His voice.  He will not ask more of us than we can do.  Today’s verse tells us two things we need to understand.  First, He will work through us to work His good pleasure.  We just submit to Him and let His Spirit lead and guide us.  But more importantly, He will give us the desire to do it.  It says He will work through us first to will, then to do.  He will give us the desire to do His good pleasure, then the power to do it.  Our love for Him will lead us to submit to anything He asks of us.  Then He will work through us to make it happen.

What a beautiful relationship we have with God.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

James 2:18

Verse of the Day: James 2:18

“But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” – James 2:18 

It is easy to tell someone you are, let’s say a computer expert, but when they ask you to assist them with a relatively simple task, like printing a document, you have no idea.  So, you hit a couple of keys and tell them to reboot, and all will be well.  When the computer comes up and it still does not work, they begin to think you are not what you claim to be.  Then when they see the printer is powered off, and then power it up it prints just fine, they know you are not.

The same thing can be true regarding our faith.  Many people proclaim to be Christians, but their lives and focus tell another story.  Remember what Jesus said in His Sermon on the Mount.  “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.”  Matthew 7:21. We can call Him Lord all we want, but if we do not live as if He is, then do we really believe it?  Do our priorities have His will first, or ours?  Are we All-In with Christ, or only partially in?  The proof of our faith is our works.  If there is no works, then is their really faith?  James says no in a very definitive way.  “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” James 2:17. And people will notice it.

If you really have faith, then show that faith by living that faith.  The world is looking for reality.  Walking and talking your faith shows that it is real.  Talking alone will have them question it. William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

James 2:18

Verse of the Day – James 2:18

“But someone will say, you have faith and I have works. Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” – James 2:18

Salvation comes through faith in God.  Both in the fact He exists and His words.  Do we believe He exists and do we believe what He says?  Our works show the answer to both of the above questions.  If the answer to both questions are YES, then we will do what He says.  We will honor Him with our lives and give our all to Him.  If they are not both YES, then we will not be totally devoted to Him.

Our works show where our heart is.  And the world looks at our works to see if we truly believe as we profess.  If not, then they will doubt the reality of the Christian life. William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

James 2:18

Verse of the Day Devotion.  James 2:18

“But someone may well say, “You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith is proven by work.” – James 2:18

James here is laying out an argument that our faith is seen through our works. He starts with two  questions. “What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?” James 2:14. The ‘good’ or ‘benefit’ of faith without works in the first question then becomes a question of salvation in the second. He brings out a specific example. “If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed, and be filled, and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?” James 2:15-16. These two verses apply to the original question in fourteen, for he uses the same question. ‘what use is it’ which ties them together. John in his first letter gives the same idea but with a specific answer. “But whoever has the world’s goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed,  and truth.” 1 John 3:17-18. The question ‘how does the love of God abide in him?’ at the end of 17 is rhetorical. The answer is essentially, it cannot possibly dwell in him. Theologian Adam Clarke states. “Hardheartedness and God’s love never meet together, much less can they be associated.” John, later in his first letter, makes this idea clear. “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 john 4:7-8. Then we read in the next verse. “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” James 2:17. This verse introduces the moral aspect of this idea. He in essence is saying that faith by itself without love for others is a dead faith, for the love of God is not present in us.

James then asks another question, which I believe he may have heard from a doubter in the faith. In our focus verse we read, “But someone may well say, You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith is proven by work.” James 2:18. Here, the doubter is disconnecting faith and works. We see this today as well. Some will say, ‘there are some in our church who go out and do good things like feeding and clothing the poor, but for me I go to church to prove my faith.’ I have heard this on several occasions. They believe that some have the gift of faith while others have the gift of works. They may say, “It’s fine for you to have your gift of works and that you care for the needy. But that isn’t my gift.” James then gives an answer to the doubter. “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called the friend of God.” James 2:19-23. He tells them that they believe in God, and that God is one in three persons. But demons believe this as well and are condemned. Mental belief is one thing, spiritual belief is quite another. Abraham believed and it was credited to him as righteousness, but through the proof of his work of taking Isaac with him and putting him on the alter to be killed, he proved this faith was perfect. He had faith that Isaac would come back with him. “And Abraham said to his young men, Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go yonder; and we will worship and return to you.” Genesis 22:5. Note the words, ‘and I and the lad will go yonder; and we will worship and return to you.’ He had faith that Isaac would come back with Him, and therefore acted accordingly. And James closes this section with, “You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone.” James 2:23.

Too many Christians believe that if they have faith, at least their definition of faith, they are saved and they do not need to do anything else. But what God is calling for is a faith that proves itself by acting accordingly, by doing the works that show the love of God for all is manifested in us. Without this, our faith is worthless and actually dead.  

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries, Inc.

James 2:14

Verse of the Day Devotion:  James 2:14  

“What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?” – James 2:14

This verse refers to a very important concept that we must focus on in order to live the life Christ has called us to live.  It presents the question, is faith real with no works?  James then presents the following example.  “What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?” James 2:15-16.  He implies at the end, through the words “what use is that?”   their words of encouragement mean nothing.

Let me present another example.  You are walking in the woods in a place you have never been before.  After a time, you come across a bridge that goes over a deep canyon.  The bridge is made of rope and sways in over the deep ravine.  The one walking with you says he walks across this all the time; it is completely safe.  You tell him you believe him that it is safe, however you refuse to cross the gorge.  Do you then really have faith in what He said? 

One thing about faith is we must show, not just by words but by actions, that we truly have faith.  And when it comes to faith in God, this is especially important.  And the works implied here is not just reading the bible and other so-called Christian deeds, although this is important for us to grow in our faith.  If you claim to be a Christian, do you live as Christ did while here?  Do we follow and live out the two great commands Jesus gave us?  “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.  This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” Matthew 22:37-39.   Do we truly exhibit these qualities?  If we do not, then is our faith true faith, or merely words?  This speaks of loving each other as He has loved us.  This is a sign of true devotion.  The man mentioned above who only spoke encouraging words to the one who needed clothing and daily food without providing it for them did not show love to them at all and did not follow what Jesus asks of us. 

Jesus calls us to love each other.  “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.”  John 15:12.  Jesus provided for us by dying on the cross for our sins.  This showed the reality of the love He had for us.  And if we only speak of our salvation through Christ without living in the reality of it, then is it true salvation?    

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Philippians 1:6

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Philippians 1:6

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6

Paul is with Timothy when he writes this letter to the Church of Philippi.  He starts by telling them how thankful he is for them.  “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now.” Philippians 1:3-5.  He tells them that every time they come to his mind, he gives thanks to God for them.  That he prays for them when he does, with much joy and happiness for the help he has received in spreading the gospel to those in Philippi.

Then we come to our focus verse.  “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6.  When he says he is confident, this is  strong language meaning to be fully and firmly persuaded or convinced.  It means here that Paul is entirely convinced of the truth of what he said. It is the language of a man who had no doubt on the subject referred to.  In essence, Paul is telling them that God will continue to work in them in this work until the end comes and Jesus Christ returns and makes all things right.  This day is often referred to as “The Day of the Lord” or “His Day” because it will be the day of his triumph and glory. It refers here to the day when the Lord Jesus will appear to receive his people to himself – the day of judgment.  And this is a day Paul and probably the Church in Philippi were looking forward to. 

Now, there are two ways to look at this.  One way is that the work God in started within the Church of Philippi He was doing an amazing work through them to help Paul and the body of Christ.  It was their role to edify the body and help them grow and become a strong force in the area in which they had oversight. And I believe this is valid and true, for they provided much material assistance to Paul and those who were with him.   However, I believe there is another view which I believe is more relevant and still strengthens the Church there in Philippi.  And that is that Paul is speaking of the individual Christians in the Church. 

The wording Paul uses in this verse makes it clear that it is the individual Christians that he is referring to.  Note the wording “in you” rather than “through you”.  This places the emphasis on what God is doing in them or among them, and not what He is doing through them.  The work referred to speaks of their growth in Christ.  Therefore, this term refers to their salvation in Christ, and in this case another way of speaking about their participation in the gospel, not so much about their sharing it but in experiencing it and living it out.  Therefore, Paul is thankful for how God is strengthening them and helping them grow in the Spirit. 

And Paul is confident that because of how God has started this good work in them, He will continue it until Christ returns.  And this refers to the present as well.  In all of us who have believed and become disciples of Christ, He will continue this good work He has started in us.  We are called to give ourselves to Christ in totality.  When we do this, then God will do His work in helping us grow in our faith in Him.  But He can do this only if we are serious in allowing Him to do this work in us.  He will not abandon us, on the contrary, He is always with us.  He will never leave us, but we must be careful we do not walk away or allow our faith to grow cold.  “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU, so that we confidently say, “THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?” Hebrews 13:5-6.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

James 2:17

Verse of the Day Devotion:  James 2:17  

“Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” – James 2:17 

This is a very important verse that we all need to ensure we apply to our lives.  The idea put forth here is that if we only profess faith but do not live it out, then this faith is basically worthless.  In verse fourteen, James says, “What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?”  James 2:14.  In essence, we are simply attempting to convince people through simple words that we are true Christians.  In the next two verses, James gives an example of what he is speaking of.  “If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?”  James 2:15-16.  What good is telling them to be blessed our brother if we do not do what is necessary to bless them?  If someone is hungry and we do not provide them a way to have food, how can we say we care for them?  And if someone is without suitable clothing and we do not give them clothing to keep them warm and cover their nakedness, how can we say we love them?  Two words, ‘We Cannot’.

And this is the idea regarding faith without works.  If we say we love Jesus yet do nothing that shows this to be true, then is it really true?  Put another way, if we say we love Jesus yet continue in the ways of the world through sinful ways and activities, then do we really love Jesus?  These are valid questions we need to use in examining our walk to ensure the validity of it. And this is the basis that James uses to prove his statement in our focus verse.  “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” James 2:17. 

In the next verse, he challenges his readers to show their faith.  “But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” James 2:18. Works is the proof of our statement regarding faith.  Lets look at an example.  Two people go to a job interview for a computer programming job.  The first one goes to the interview and talks about how he understands all about programming and he will do a good job.  Unfortunately, he has never worked in the field and because of this he has shown himself unqualified.  The second person brought examples of the work they have done for previous employers and therefore was hired because of the work she had and was doing. 

What we say we believe proves very little if anything.  “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.  But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?”  James 2:19-20.  Many people claim to be followers of God and yet live lives that are totally contrary to what they say they believe.  He then ends this with an example.  “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.”. And this last part is found in Genesis 15:6. 

It is important that our deeds or works match what we say we believe, for if they do not, it puts into question what we say we believe.  We are not saved by works, but it shows the validity of our faith.  “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.” James 2:26. 

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Romans 3:20

Verse of the Day Devotion: Romans 3:20  

“Because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.” – Romans 3:20  

This is an important verse because too often, people look at their actions to denote whether they are saved or not saved.  This was what the Jews believed throughout the old and new testament and in our present times.  And unfortunately, many who call themselves Christians also fall into this trap.  In the time of Christ, the Jews believed that following the Mosaic Law was the way to salvation.  If they just did the things the law said to do and did not do what the law said not to do, then they were, in essence, saved. 

However, Micah laid out what the Lord required of man.  “With what shall I come to the LORD And bow myself before the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, With yearling calves? Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, In ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” Micah 6:5.  Micah starts by asking the question, how shall I approach the Lord?  How shall I come to Him to address my sin?  Is it through sacrifice?  Does the killing of many animals address my wrong doing?  No, and he explains what the Lord does require.  “He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8. He does not delight in sacrifices.  What He desires of us is to act with justice in all we do.  To be merciful to all and walk with humility with Him.  When we look at these three things, we do not necessarily see actions but character.  They are things we do because it is who we are.  Looking at these three again, what God desires is for us to be just, merciful and humility.  It is not the works of the law.

Now, we read in James the following.  “You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.” James 2:24.  It seems from this verse that works is part of what justifies us.  However, this is made clearer in a previous verse.  “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.”  James 2:17.  What this clarifies is that it is not works that matter but faith.  However, true faith is proven by works.  Therefore, faith is what Christ is looking for in us, however, if not in conjunction with works, do we have true faith?  We are saved by faith, but our works shows our faith.  Paul comes right out and states it like it is.  “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9. Nobody can be justified in the sight of God due to the works of the law.  The reason for this is that no one has ever kept the law completely with no deviation.  “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.  Therefore, we cannot be justified by the law; meaning our works.  However, this does not mean we are without hope.  “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace” Ephesians 1:7.  We could not pay the penalty, but Jesus could, through His perfect life. “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21.  He gave His life for us because He loved us. 

In closing, does this mean we do not need to keep His commandments because He paid the price for us?  Absolutely not.  For by keeping them we prove our love for Him.  “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” John 14:15. The idea is that salvation is based on the work of Christ, and we accept this work because we love Him and desire to give our everything to Him.  “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” John 14:21. Our salvation is based on Christ’s work on the cross, and not by our works. But our works show the love we have for Christ and our acceptance of that work.  He loves us and pays the penalty, thus we should love Him because He did what we could not do.  What a loving God we serve.   

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

James 2:26

Verse of the Day Devotion: James 4:26  

“For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.” – James 4:26

There are two basic ways to look at the concept of works as described in the Scriptures.  Unfortunately, we see both ideas be walked out today by those in our churches.  Many people believe that as long as they do good works, they will be OK when Jesus returns.  This was the way the Jewish people saw works.  However, this is not totally the truth.  Works is essential in our life as a Christian.  But not in becoming a Christian.

In ancient Jewish tradition, works was the way Jews believed they were able to please God.  We see this in how strictly they followed the law.  Micah lays out how this is basically flawed. “With what shall I come to the LORD And bow myself before the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, With yearling calves? Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, In ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” Micah 6:6-7.  This was how the ancient Jews believed they showed their faith to God, by keeping the law.  But Micah goes on to state this in not the case.  “He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8.  Following the law was not what pleased God, but it was how we lived our lives

The law was not meant to address our sins, but to show us what our sins are, and ultimately our need for salvation.  “What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, You shall not covet.” Romans 7:7. This shows that the law / works had nothing to do with us being declared righteous, it is faith.  In the Old Testament, we see essentially the same thing.  “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:4. Those who are proud and haughty believe they themselves have addressed their sins, not realizing that it is faith in God that will address them, not anything we do. 

So, we see that the law simply shows us our sins but does not address them.  It is faith in God and the works He has done.  However, our declaration of faith is not enough.  We must live out our beliefs as well.  James lays this out perfectly.  “What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and be filled, and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?” James 2:14-16.  He then culminates this thought in the next verse, “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” James 2:17

So, faith is proved by our works.  A declaration of our faith in Christ without a change in our lives that shows our love for Christ and our fellow man: a life that brings glory to God through our works, shows we do not really have faith at all.  It turns out only to be meaningless words.  And just as our focus verse says, faith without work is dead, just like the body without the spirit is dead.  True faith is giving up our old life with its sinful ways and replacing it with God honoring works that fulfills our calling as servants and children of God.  It is only then that the world will see our faith and desire to know more.   

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.