“Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith BY my good deeds.” James 2:18
We are first made Christians because of Christ’s forgiveness of us. We cannot continue to be Christians in either name or truth if we do not reflect the same level of forgiveness to others.
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The video above reminds me of James chapter 2:
2 My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?
2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. 3 If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, 4 doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?
5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? 6 But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? 7 Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?
8 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 9 But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.
10 For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. 11 For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.
12 So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. 13 There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when He judges you.
14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
As a Christian one must be very careful when reading James. One of two things will occur. First you may be called to repentance when you see your reflection in its uncompromising depiction of what a true Christian is. If not then you will decide to define Christianity on your own terms, which I believe is the true “Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit” the “Unpardonable Sin.” Please do not read James casually, tread lightly through its potentially perilous path.
Forgiveness, Faith in Action, must exist in the life of every Christian. We used to sing, “They will know we are Christians by our love.” That is based on John 13:35:
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
If the world does not see Forgiveness and Faith in Action even in the walls of the church they will have trouble accepting its sincerity in the streets.
Brennan Manning put it this way:
“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians: who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”
Forgive, that is the only way to release your Faith to Action.
I too struggle, help me and I promise to help you,
Billy