|
2nd &
Wallace |
Articles
by |
...the Bible tells me so:
The Proof of Faith
I don’t know about you but I’m as stuffed as a Thanksgiving turkey. Of course, there is only one way to know that the food tastes good. It is found in the proverb, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.” Boy, did I eat!
As we look through the New Testament, we find that James, the Lord’s brother, discusses the proof of faith. It is found in James 2:14-26.
From this passage, we discover what faith without works is. It is a faith that does not save (verse 14). It is a dead faith (verses 17, 26). It is a faith that is smaller than that of demons (verse 19). It is a barren faith (verse 20). It is an incomplete faith (verse 22). It is a faith that does not justify (verses 24-25).
What is the proof of faith? Consider a few verses:
· “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22 NIV).
· “But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does” (verse 25).
· “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).
· “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself [literally, ‘working’] through love” (Galatians 5:6).
The proof of faith, then, is in obedience. James began this discussion by asking, “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds [literally, ‘works’]? Can such faith save him?” (James 2:14) James cuts a person to the quick with those two rhetorical questions.
James offers three proofs of faith. First, there is the practical proof of faith (verses 15-17); second, the theological proof (verses 18-19); and third, the historical proof (verses 20-26).
First, the practical proof of faith is giving to the needy. James wrote, “Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (verses 15-17).
James’ words are most appropriate this time of year as many struggle to feed their families during the two most important holidays in American culture. James’ words in context condemn the favoritism that is shown to the wealthy and the rejection of the poor (verses 1-6).
It is not only the basis of our faith, but caring for the needy is the basis of our salvation (Matthew 25:31-46; see 1 John 3:17-18; Galatians 6:10). Whether providing food, drink, shelter, clothing and care, “the King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’ “ (Matthew 25:40; see verse 45).
Second, the theological proof of faith is the significance of the faith of demons. James wrote, “But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder” (James 2:18-19). During the life of Jesus, many of Satan’s messengers cried out, “I know who You are” (Mark 1:24; see verse 34; 3:11-12).
Since those demons reacted in fear with the coming of Jesus, how shallow it is only to believe without the proper response of obedience. If they will not be saved, even though they tremble, what future will there be for those who only believe?
Third, the historical proof of faith is found in the stories of Abraham and Rahab. James wrote, “You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the [former] prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:20-26).
While Abraham trusted in God (Genesis 15:6), it was a trust that expressed itself in what God wanted. When God told Abraham to leave his homeland and to go to a promised land, Abraham left (chapter 12). When God commanded that Abraham be circumcised along with his family, Abraham complied (chapter 17). And, as James noted, when God called upon Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, he did so until God stopped him (chapter 22). “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” [God] said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from Me your son, your only son” (22:12). As a result, Abraham was called God’s friend (2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8).
While the story of Rahab is much
shorter (Joshua 2), nonetheless it teaches the same lesson of the importance of
obedience. The writer of Hebrews summarized it best, saying, “By faith the
prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who
were disobedient” (Hebrews 11:31). She did not disobey God like the rest of
the inhabitants of
“Put your money where your mouth is”—aren’t those “prove it” words? It is not enough to say that you have faith in God or in Jesus our Savior. In moving from what one theologian called James, “a right strawy epistle,” to “the gospel of Grace,” Paul’s letter to the Roman church, Paul said that he was given his apostleship “to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith” (Romans 1:5; see 16:26). You cannot receive half a Jesus. In receiving Him as your Savior, you must obey Him as your Lord.
What is the proof of your faith? Prove your faith through your obedience. Let your trust in Jesus take you to the cleansing water. Give to the needy. Worship God according to His will. Pray continually. Proclaim the good news of Jesus, that saving message. Don’t just say that you love, but demonstrate your love for God and for your neighbors by what you do.
|
2nd &
Wallace |
Articles
by |