Impartial and Active Faith

James 2:14-17 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

There seems to be a misconception, with some, about what faith really is. The fact that eternal life is given by God's grace, and received by faith, has led some to believe that this faith is one of inaction on our part; that somehow just saying the words is enough. Well, that cannot be any farther from the truth, because the truth of the matter is that real faith always moves us to action. When we put our faith in Jesus, it calls us to repent and confess. Not that our repentance and confession are works that earned us salvation; but that in faith, and in response to what Jesus did, we were moved, by faith, to go to Jesus and receive His free gift, given to us by His grace. But wait...it doesn't stop there. After we have received such a marvelous, and unattainable gift, it is faith that should move us to action in serving God, by serving others, without partiality. When God makes us aware of someone's need, regardless of who they are, our faith should move us to action. First it should move us to prayer, and move us to trust that we can cast our cares and needs upon God (because He cares for us) so that we can then turn our attention toward the person(s) in need. A faith that gives warm and fuzzy lip service, but does not activate agape love toward another, is a faith that is counterfeit, empty, and dead. A faith that fails to demonstrate the love of Jesus to the person(s) in need is a faith that is shallow and of benefit to no one, and does not glorify God at all. If we are going to claim that we have faith, let it be a faith that is clearly backed up by our impartial action of love for others, for the glory of God.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).