Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Faith – James 2:14-17 – Accompanied By Action – Growing As Disciples

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.  James 2:14-17 (NIV)

What Good Would It Be?

What good would it be if your life did not demonstrate the faith you say you have in me? What do you mean by that? What good would it be if you thought believing in me only consisted of accepting a set of facts about me? What good would it be if your faith in me had no impact on your heart and mind and life? What good would it be if your faith in me never helped you to go where I was guiding you? What good would it be if your faith in me never helped you to do what I was asking of you? What good would it be if your faith in me never bore fruit for my kingdom or brought glory to my name? You have asked some easy questions that all have the same answer. What’s that? If I had a faith that never acted, it would be no faith at all. If I had a faith that was not visible for all to see, it would be no faith at all. If I thought faith in you consisted only in accepting a set off facts about you, it would be no faith at all. If my faith in you did not change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life, it would be no faith at all. If my faith in you did not prompt me to go and do your will, it would be no faith at all. If my faith in you never enabled me to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name, it would be no faith at all. That’s true.

But this is not your faith. Your faith in me has changed your heart, transformed your mind and is guiding your life. In all that you think and say and do, you want to bring glory to my name. You want to go where I guide. You want to do what I ask you. You love me with all your heart and soul and mind. You are fully devoted to me. Your faith in me is not hidden. Your faith in me is not a secret. You want your faith in me to shine brightly in this dark world. You are continually asking me to bear fruit for my kingdom through your life. Keep on living your life of faith in me. Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good. 

Lord, I don’t want to be all talk and no action. I want my faith in you to be living and active. I want my actions to demonstrate that I am living a life of faith with and for you. Use my life for your kingdom and glory. I will go and do all that you ask of me. Amen