James 2 FAITH IS WHAT YOU DO

Of course, faith is what I believe. But in this passage, James makes it clear that the real indicator of faith is not just what I think or say (even the demons believe. and shudder), but it marked by what I do. What is the connection between heart belief and actions?

My first thought in that regard is what I have often advised people: "act as if." There are periods of my life where I don't know if God exists, I don't know if the Bible is reliable, I don't know whether He loves me, I don't know if life is merely some kind of illusion, or any number of other issues. During those times (and I don't recommend this for more than a few months), I think it's right to just live "as if" I believed what my head used to say I believed. God calls things that are not as if they were ("light, be!"), and He calls me to do the same. So, faith is not dependent on my daily emotional ups and downs, or on reeling from the latest theory that I am trying to mesh into my belief system; faith is plodding on "as if" I still believed. And usually for me, the crisis eventually passes.

But James is addressing a more ethical issue here. He says to do good for someone, and that is the real test of my faith. So a man who says he believes in God, but who is not a philanthropist, is a liar. A woman who claims great faith, but who is stingy with her time and resources really has no faith. A person who says to Jesus, "Lord, Lord, did we not do miracles in Your name," and yet who did not obey His commands, obviously doesn't really trust Him.

My son Daniel put the two ends of faith and ethics together in a new way for us this morning. He said that if I give something away, I show faith in God that He will provide for me what I need if He told me to give it away. If someone needs a car, he said (now, why would a 15 1/2-year-old be thinking about needing a car?), I can give him mine if I trust that God will supply my own need in return.

"LORD, I have believed in You most of my life. But I have not as often lived in step with Your Spirit. Make my life consistent with my doctrine, and I will truly be Your man of faith. I ask this to Your glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God without end. Amen."
-ker