Faith and Works

James 2:26 states, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” Growing your faith requires embracing His word as truth and allowing people around you to see your commitment to God. Faith starts withering when you do not feed it by doing God's work.

James, the half-brother to Jesus, wrote the letter, also called the book of James, as a way of encouraging believers who were being persecuted. The believers were in an area where Christianity had not yet flourished, making it more challenging to practice their faith through good works. James encouraged them to cling to their faith and express it so others could see.

"For as the body without the spirit is dead," breaks down to offer a visual for the believers. What happens to the body when there is no spirit? To put yourself into that situation, look at it like this... Your brother is in a coma. You look at his body, but there is no spirit. Without nourishment, his body will die. He cannot talk, walk, or communicate in any way. "For faith without works is dead also." Your faith is the same way. If you do not feed your soul or your "spirit," your faith will fade until it's gone.

Faith is believing in the things that you cannot see. Works are the evidence of faith. So, how can you show that you have faith in God? What works can show people how deep your faith is? Follow your heart and not your head. Pray to God, believe in His word. Be open and listen to what he tells you. Find your journey with faith and works. No two people will have the same plan given to them by God. Pray that God will let you see His purpose. Embrace your faith through believing that God's word is the truth. You can find the answers you seek through reading His scripture and prayer. God is good. Show it freely in your life by doing His good works.

Showing your works to others is a call to live out your faith in daily living. Do not hide that you are a Christian. Stand firm in your beliefs. Everything a person does is a witness to what kind of person they are. If you see someone hungry, feed them. If you only have one piece of bread, split it in two and share. If you see someone questioning their faith, talk with them. There are times when someone needs a hand to hold. Embrace it.

In the age of computers, sometimes we forget the needs of others. The need to show kindness. Show a smile. You might not realize the powerful impact that can have on someone who needs a friendly face. We forget people at the other end have feelings too. They have their own needs. God made us to be together in a community to share things and interact with each other. It is more important than ever to be a light to others.