Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 160 – James 2:14-17-What Good Is It?- 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?

What good is your faith in me? That seems like an odd question. I will ask you some more questions, so it does not seem so odd to you. How has your faith in me changed your life? How are you now different because you have faith in me? What are you now doing that you would not be doing if you did not have faith in me? Now, I understand where you are headed with this line of questioning. You could have asked, “How is my faith in you observable?” Or you could have asked, “How can others see that I have a vibrant faith in you because of the way I think and speak and act?” Yes, those are two very good questions as well. How will you answer my questions? I will tell you one thing without a doubt. What’s that? I wouldn’t be having this conversation with you if I did not have faith in you. Nor would I be writing about our conversation. So, I could also say, I would not be living in an intimate relationship with you if I did not have faith in you. Yes, that is quite true. What else? I can’t think of one thought or word or action of my life that has not been touched or changed or transformed because the life of faith I am living with you. You have changed the entire course of my life. My former way of thinking and speaking and acting is long gone. Those who knew me back then, before I came to have faith in you, would not recognize me today. Every day, as I have lived a life of faith in you, you have been molding and shaping my life. I’m as sure as I can be that you are not finished with me yet. No, my work in and through you will continue until the day you come to live forever in heaven with me. Well, that is another thing, I should mention. What’s that? You have continually asked me to go and do things for you. You have worked through my life so that I can bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. I know without a doubt, there is no sitting around, doing nothing, on this journey of faith I am on with you. That’s true. And I will keep on saying yes to you. I will keep on going and doing whatever you ask of me. That will be very good. So, what good is my faith in you? Living a life of loving and following and serving you is the goodness of the faith I have in you. Good answer. Thank you, Lord. 

Lord, I want my faith in you to be living and active. I want others to be able to see my faith in you as I go and do whatever you ask of me. I want my faith in you to bear fruit for your kingdom and bring glory to your name. Use my faith in you in your service. Amen

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Promises – Day 160 – James 2-14-17 – What Good Is It? – 4 Page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide

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