Scripture Reading: James 2:14-26, Romans 3:23-26, Ephesians 2:8-10
When the more familiar passages of Scripture come across my daily reading—James 2:14–26 included—I find it hard not to go back to those “first impression” places as I read now. I’m whisked back to a creaky pine desk and overly-enthusiastic seventh grade Bible teacher that opened class that day with what can only be described as a true oration of this text. Seriously, Shakespearean theatre troupes would be impressed.
The cost of these first-impressions is a coloring of the text that, for better or for worse, shapes how we interpret them—and how we envision God, His work in our lives, and His love for us.
I do wonder if I can read the tone of James 2 a lot lighter than some of those voices of my past. When I swap the stern brow and commandeering voice with a beseeching, imploring one, I find this presents new ways to take in James’s message. I imagine James as being so compelled by his love for his Lord that he couldn’t help but make sure that those who say they also follow Jesus are representing this new way of living well.
For example, I know my best friend loves vulnerable conversations, dark chocolate and raspberry ice cream, and a good poetry book. If I know these things but then decide to grab them a mystery thriller and some vanilla soft serve and have a chat about the weather, then I don’t think I can say I truly care about my friend or what they care about.
Our Lord is concerned with extending grace and mercy to those who sin against Him (Romans 3:23–26), He is humble by nature (Matthew 11:29), and He has said that if you want to show Him that you love Him, you take care of His children (John 21:17). Yet how many of us (go ahead and add me to that “us”) know these things but then feel compelled to point out our spouse’s flaws whenever we can, pivot work conversations back to what we’ve done right and how our coworker messed up, or let the pastors deal with the poor in our churches and neighborhoods?
James 2 is giving fierce clarity to the subtle differences between believing in Jesus and placing faith in Him. We can believe He is the Savior of the world, but our genuine faith is revealed when we make decisions that align with His teachings. We can know that He rose from the grave to save us all from the consequences of sin, but it’s the evident changes in the ways we think and act that reveal authentic faith.
Full transformation in Christ is not just expressed internally but externally too. As for me, I want to be transformed from the inside out by Jesus more than I want to just meet the basic requirements for salvation.
Because as I come to know Him more deeply, I can live more fully.
Written by Kayla De La Torre
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17 thoughts on "Faith and Works"
Amen!❤️
Amen
Amen and Amen!
This hit me like a ton of bricks today: He has said that if you want to show Him that you love Him, you take care of His children (John 21:17). Yet how many of us (go ahead and add me to that “us”) know these things but then feel compelled to point out our spouse’s flaws whenever we can…
I never thought of my husband being one of his children that I should “take care of…” Ouch! Truth be told he has been on my last nerve lately and it is spilling into my words and actions towards him, my thoughts even worse. I truly need a heart change. Lord forgive me.
Sister, this is one of those things I pray about every day. It is so frustrating.
Lord, help me to be kind to him, and take my gripes to You – and if they’re valid, trust You to speak to his heart. At some point everyday, I have to give it to God, lay it down and move on. Lots of biting my tongue as I ask myself, will any good come from saying what I’m thinking? Working on consistency with this.
Amen❤️
“James 2 is giving fierce clarity to the subtle differences between believing in Jesus and placing faith in Him. We can believe He is the Savior of the world, but our genuine faith is revealed when we make decisions that align with His teachings.” Thank you Kayla for this succinct way of saying our faith determines our actions.
The faith vs works has always been a bit of a struggle for me to understand. However, this past summer in my women’s small group bible study there was a discussion where a woman gave an example about her husband doing something nice (he was a Christian and she was still struggling with her faith) and she asked him why he did it and he said it was the right thing to do and she went on to say that they talked about how Christians do the right thing even if no one is looking or acknowledges them. We went on to talk about this in small group as being a way that someone else can “see” your Christian faith demonstrated to them in a tangible way. Not because it is necessary or that God needs us to do it for him, but because it is a way that our faith is outwardly visable. This made more sense to me than many other times when I have read these verses and not understood the balance so I just wanted to share.
“As I come to know Him more deeply, I can live more fully.”
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Abide, abide, abide.
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Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
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MELANI FRYER – rejoicing in Nev’s successfull surgery.
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INDIANA ELAINE – praying for you and your church family.
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TANYA EVANS – praying your act of kindness toward your coworker in her time of need is a seed that bears fruit.
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Be Jesus to those around you today, ladies.
I love that Kelly! “Be Jesus to those around you.”
Well, this hit me hard this morning. I am complaining in my mind about having to serve once again this Sunday during church service and care for the two-year-olds but I’m not realizing the condition of my heart. I’m not seeing that this is an opportunity to love my church well by serving them instead I am looking at it selfishly as a quid pro quo. I don’t have kids, so how can they pay me back? How selfish of me. Lord, help me to repent and see this is as an opportunity to demonstrate my faith through my works. Change me from the inside out. Do for me what I cannot do create in me a clean heart.Amen.
O, may you be blessed as you are a blessing to the littles!
I too need some changing from the inside out.
❤️❤️
The Good samaritan came to mind as I read the verses and the devotional.
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His works, whilst a priest and a Levite walked by, infact, on the other side of the road, has me wondering, did he have faith.? Or was the action, just a works without faith situation?
Let’s face it in the parable he does everything right, he stops, he takes care of the Jewish man, he even takes him to an inn and pays for his care, and even promises to pay the rest, should there be any, on His return…
He did not say God bless you, and walk on by, he did something, whereas the priest walked by.
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Did he have faith?
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Or did he show his faith by his actions?
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I know this is a parable of Jesus’s, I just wondered.
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Back to the devotional, this had me at..
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We can believe He is the Savior of the world, but our genuine faith is revealed when we make decisions that align with His teachings. We can know that He rose from the grave to save us all from the consequences of sin, but it’s the evident changes in the ways we think and act that reveal authentic faith..
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Keep ploughing through my girl, each day you grow, it may not seem like it .,
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BUT GOD..
He is with you/us as we align our daily life with His teachings..
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Amen.
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May your day be blessed my loves, as you are a true blessing to me..
Love, hugs and prayers, always.❤️
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