What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith
WEEK 42
LIVING A RADICALLY ALTERED LIFE
JAMES 2:14-26
What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness," and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by
another way? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
RIGHTEOUS LORD and sovereign Ruler of heaven and earth,
You have commissioned us to be witnesses, taking the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ into all the world. Help us first and foremost to be faithful evangelists right where we are. Make us effective heralds of your truth,
beginning in our own families and neighborhoods; then extend our testimony in accord with Your plan— even if that takes us to the uttermost parts of the world.
It is obvious that no one can put faith on display without works. Our Lord Himself taught that every tree is known by its own fruit.1
We cannot rightly claim a faith that saves
when there is no evidence of
regeneration, conversion, transformation, or sanctification. In that sense, the view from outside can be telling of what is inside. Those who have been justified will act justly.
Yet we confess that we are not perfectly just. We are fallen, error-prone, sinful creatures. And yet, Lord, You have justified us
completely, instantaneously— by imputing to us a perfect righteousness. You credited us with merit that is not our own—
Christ's own spotless righteousness by faith.2
You don't count our transgressions against us. And on that basis You have declared us altogether just. Our reconciliation is complete.3
We are perfectly at peace with You.4
We face no condemnation in time or eternity.5
But You did not stop with our justification. You did not merely forgive us and give us a right standing. You also made us new creatures.6
How grateful we are for the total transformation
of the inner man that has changed (and is still changing) our desires, attitudes, speech, and actions! By the indwelling Holy Spirit
we have not only a new desire for holiness
but also a new power to pursue godly lives.7
The Spirit has given us new life,
and He has placed a deep, sincere love in our hearts for You—
and for our fellow believers.8
That love naturally manifests itself by Your grace.
And You give still more grace. Though You resist the proud, You multiply grace to the humble. Help us therefore to be humble, submissive, resistant
to the wiles of Satan and the lure of this world. Draw us near, cleanse our hands, purify our hearts,
and give us single-minded devotion to Christ.9
Heavenly Father, continue shaping us into the people
You want us to be so we can truly demonstrate to the world that the salvation You give is life-transforming. May our radically altered lives
give testimony to the power and glory of the gospel! This we ask in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
1. Luke 6:43-46 2. Philippians 3:9 3. 2 Corinthians 5:19 4. Romans 5:1 5. Romans 8:1 6. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 7. Philippians 2:13
8. Romans 5:5 9. James 4:6-8