Good morning! Today, we will continue our reading in James chapter two. Yesterday, our reading was focused on expressions of faith, and today’s verses focus on the evidence of true faith. Join me as we continue chapter two. Enjoy your reading and your weekend.

Bible Verse – James 2:18-20 NLT

“¹⁸ Now someone may argue, “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.”

¹⁹ You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God.^[f] Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. ²⁰ How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?”

Reflection

These verses are interesting in how James challenges his readers on faith. Where he suggests one reader or person might say faith is not essential, but works are. He challenges them noting works/deeds are not essential to faith, but works/deeds are evidence of faith.

He goes on to remind us that, believing in one God is not faith, “Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.” The demons belief in one God will not get them to heaven. Their belief along with their actions do not and never have aligned with being a follower of Christ or surrendering their lives to God.

As mature believers or as we mature as believers our faith will be seen in the work that we do through Christ. As we bear His image, we naturally begin to look more like Christ and serve in a way that glorifies Him. It’s not a checklist of things to do or the amount of activities we do, it is a heart transformation in which we have a natural tendency to show compassion, assist others, accept others, turn away from temptation and live in the freedom that salvation through Christ Jesus gives. Spiritual works are the evidence, not the driving force, of sincere faith.

Prayer

Father God, we thank you for another day. We thank you for your love and patience toward us as we continue to mature in our spiritual faith. Lord, Your word anchors and forms us to be more like you each day. Lord, keep drawing us near to you as we grow in faith and as we serve You. Lord, forgive us for the times when we fell short in these areas of our lives. Forgive us for the times we thought the checklist and accomplishments within the church and outside the church were sufficient enough. Lord, today we understand that You want us, our hearts, and for us to trust You. Lord, simply to love and trust You. Lord, help us to love and trust you more. May our maturation in our relationship with You consistently demonstrate our faith in you. May the evidence of that faith be seen by others, so that they will grow in faith too.

Lord, thank you for answering prayers. Thank you for standing in the gap between tragedy and healing. Lord, thank you for being our strength and comforter in our darkest moments. We thank you for keeping us confident in prayer because of your faithfulness toward us. There is no one we can turn who can do what You can do for us. Everything in this world belongs to you – including us. You know how to take care of us, you know our needs, and every detail about us, and yet – you still love us.

Lord, cover each child who is preparing for school, day care, college or going to a babysitter. Lord, keep them safe from harm. Remove obstacles that may create barriers to their safety or learning. Lord, be with each teacher today and give them wisdom and discernment on how to teach and appropriately treat the children you have given them to oversee and teach this year. Lord, humble their hearts to love those students as you love them. Lord, help the teachers to navigate their own lives well as they help others.

Be with those going to work today. Help them with their assignments. Lord, give them wisdom and discernment in the work that they do. Lord, help them to suit up in the full armor of God and be image bearers for you in their workspaces.

Lord, comfort those who are grieving. Help those in financial need. Lord, set the innocent free from prison. Send resources to rescue those who have been kidnapped or trafficked and set them free. Lord, help the states and countries impacted by floods, fires, and other natural disasters.

Lord, help us to have and demonstrate sincere faith, in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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