Thursday 5 Jul 2018

July 5: James 2:14-17

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

Devotion:
One thing I have learned the hard way is that if you are not prepared to do something rather than just talk about it, it will never get done! In this respect, there is nothing different about something you say you will do and your faith. If you say you are going to do something, then you will have to get up and do it otherwise it will not get done. If you say you have faith, then you have to exercise that faith otherwise it is nothing.

We can say we believe in God and still not get to heaven. Satan knows God exists, he does not have to exercise faith; but that does not mean he is going to heaven. He believes that God exists, but he does not put his faith and trust in God. If we start to act in the same manner, then should we expect to get any different treatment than Satan would get. Sounds bad when you put it like that!

In the same manner, if we are going to talk about our love for others, we need to exercise that love because if we do not show people we love them, they may well not believe what we are saying. Who can blame them for not believing someone who always says one thing and does another thing? Don’t get me wrong, our faith alone is what does save us, for if we believe in God, He is just and willing to forgive us and take us to heaven. But let’s be honest, would you rather have someone in your life who simply told you they loved you, or someone who told you and showed you that they loved you? I would rather have the latter because it would give me confidence in their words.

Actions do indeed speak louder than words in our lives! The greatest example of this has got to be what Christ did for us. He died for our sins while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8)

Points to Ponder:
How often do you do things for others without them having to ask you?

How often do you do things for God without Him having to ask you?