BELIEVING AND BEHAVING

“Thus also FAITH by itself, if it does not have WORKS, is dead” – James 2:17

FAITH involves both BELIEVING and BEHAVING GOD’S WORD – being a Doer of the Word: “Thus also FAITH by itself, if it does not have WORKS, is dead” (Jam.2:17). Verse 20 ponders: “But do you want to know, O foolish man, that Faith without works is dead?” James queried: What benefit is it, if a someone professes to have faith, but his actions do not correspond? Our meditation text refers to the example of Abraham, whose actions of obedience aligned with believing in the heart, and by his actions his faith was perfected: “Do you see that Faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?” (vv.21-22).

Faith includes but transcends Believing. FAITH is BELIEVING and BEHAVING the Word! The term “works” in our text is not referring to doing works to be saved. James’ epistle was written to people who were already saved: “What does it profit, my BRETHREN...?” (v.14a). “Works” refers to corresponding actions that manifest Faith. When Believers confess their faith in the Word and at the same time contradict their confession by wrong actions, faith is nullified. For example: Supposedly trusting God for finances, while also worrying and fretting about how to pay the bills! Faith without corresponding action is “dead” and unproductive. Living Faith believes and behaves in alignment with God’s Word.

James 1:22 says, “But be DOERS of the WORD, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” It is only the Doer of the Word that is “blessed in what he does” (Jam.1:25b). The actions of the Doer of the Word align coincide with his confession. Matthew 7: 24-27 using the parable of two builders, illustrates the distinction between Doers of God’s Word and mere “Talkers”: One built on a rock, and another built on the sand. The same vicissitudes of life came against both: “The rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house” (vv.25, 27). The house founded on the rock, that did not fall, represents the Doer of the Word. The one built on sand fell and “great was its fall” (v.27). That’s the person that only confesses but does not do God’s Word.

The same storm and wind came upon both houses; that of the foolish was destroyed, but that of the wise stood. So, it’s not the storms of life that defeat people, otherwise they should destroy everyone. When the storms of life descend, those who act on God’s Word are not defeated, whereas mere talkers collapse and sink for lack of faith, because they are not Doers of the Word. When storms of sickness, financial difficulty, or some other tests show up, the Doer of the Word holds fast to his confession of Faith, knowing that God cannot fail. The defeated folks may be genuinely saved yet they do not have corresponding action to their faith!

Abraham was a Doer of God’s Word: “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, GIVING to GOD, and being FULLY CONVINCED that what He had promised He was able to perform” (Rom.4: 20-21). Abraham’s actions aligned with his conviction. Again, the woman with the issue of blood behaved her believing, “For she said, “If only I many touch His clothes, I shall be well” (Mk.5:28). She touched – added corresponding action to her believing – and became well!

Talkers mentally assent that the Word of God is true, but it doesn’t profit them because they do not make the promise their own. The way to make God’s Word our own is to act on it. Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” God and His Word are one. We trust in Him by trusting His Word, for He is watches over His Word to perform it (Jer.1:12). It’s when we believe and act on God’s Word – take it to be ours – that He can make it good in our lives!