You Say You Have Faith, So What Now?

Show me your faith! Open your mind and heart to the truth so that you may mature in the faith. Genuine faith reveals itself in works and in love in response to Christ as Lord over our life. “You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror” (James 2:19, NLT). The demons know Jesus and ask: “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time” (Matt. 8:29, NIV)? In times of doubt and unbelief, do you ever wonder what Jesus wants with us? Scripture tells us that the Lord wants us to follow in His footsteps and fulfill the law according to Scripture, love thy neighbor as thy self, and love thy enemy. Love covers a multitude of sins, and love brings all other laws, including the Law of Moses, into harmony with all He commands. As we listen with an open ear and mind, we are confident that we can agree there is no conflict between faith and works. It is a matter of perspective!

So, let us reason together, and please, let us not bog our thinking down with contrary thoughts and mental debates about faith and works. We know and understand that those who believe are children of God by faith in Jesus Christ. James helps us understand that we cannot claim to have faith and produce no works to validate that faith in the eyes of God. At the end of chapter two, James sums his words up by saying: “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26, NIV).

You say you have faith, so what NOW? Faith manifests itself in works which is a beautiful thing to see. Work is faith in action! Faith is not comparing ourselves to others. The Apostle Paul says measuring and comparing ourselves one against another is seeking the approval of man without understanding the BIG PICTURE (2 Corinthians 10:12). Why compare yourself to a drug addict or alcoholic unless you intend to offer counsel or make yourself feel better by telling yourself you are not a drug addict or alcoholic. Or perhaps you want to justify yourself by saying, “everybody is doing it.” We must test our work and bear our burdens (Galatians 6:4-5). Examine and test yourself to see if you are in the faith.

My brothers and sisters, we must walk worthy of our calling, and that means being different from those in the world around us. Christians are not supposed to be of the world. Scripture says: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom. 12:2, NIV). The Lord calls us to renew our minds and live holy. This holy living manifests itself in our lifestyle, speech, and attitude. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths. The only words that should come from our mouths are those that are helpful for building others up. In other words, if you say you have faith, show it by not conforming to the world's ways. You say you have faith, so what NOW?

By the Word of God, faith and works depend on each other. Have faith, do the work, stop complaining, and be blessed! Amen, Amen, Amen.