You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? -James 2:20
You know what strikes me as interesting about this verse? Instead of going on to prove his statement, James instead gives examples of faith in action.
Want me to prove it doesn't work? Then let me show you what does.
I wondered why he wouldn't give examples of people whose deedless faith fell flat. After all, that's the offer he put on the table.
But instead, he tells of Abraham's faith and actions working together when he laid Isaac on the alter. Then he mentions Rahab's faith and action of helping the spies before Israel marched around Jericho.
Want me to prove that your faith without deeds is wrong? Here are people whose faith was right.
Why?
Maybe he did it that way because truth stands on its own.
Do you need proof that what you're doing is wrong? Then take a look at what's right.
Kind of like bankers handling money. In order to recognize counterfeit money, they don't spend their time studying the fake stuff. The spend hours studying the real. They look at the details and handle it over and over again until their hands know the feel of the money. Then, when the counterfeit comes along, they are able to recognize it because it doesn't match what's true.
How much more does that apply to us! We should study the Word, strive to put action to our faith, and pray like crazy. We should be so immersed in the Truth that when anything else comes along, we know it right away.
How should we know when something is wrong? Because we know what's right.
3 comments:
Good thoughts, Splitter.
It's just easier sometimes to point out the wrong, rather than to think of WHY it's wrong and what is right.
Some counterfeits can be hard to detect, I've seen some very convincing ones. But you know what to look for and if what you look for is not there, you know it's counterfeit no matter how good it looks.
I like your application. :o)
Thanks, girls!
DeMo - you're right, and this has been something I've been throwing all over the place lately. It's easier to see the speck in your neighbor's eye, easier to hear the truth but do nothing about it. It's a lot harder to take action and remove our own planks.
Ginger - kind of like looking for a brand name's insignia, huh?
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