Faith and Works (James 2:14-26)

[Sung Psalm: 113]

Words.

When you have a problem, very often we have a tendency to try to talk it through.

And words are important. James 1 insists that the implanted word is able to save! God has brought us forth “by the word of truth.” We must be quick to hear.

But words must lead to action.

Nothing is more maddening than to hear someone say: “Go in peace, be warmed and filled.” “go in peace, be happy and content!”

James challenges us to love and good deeds – but so many of us are barely clinging to faith! It can sort of feel like he is “piling on”!

But consider the examples that James uses: Abraham and Rahab. We often think of Abraham as such a hero of faith (and rightly so) – but consider what God told him to do! Leave your homeland – your family and friends – and go to a land I will show you. Oh, and by the way, you will never actually possess the land yourself! You will be an alien and stranger – and it will only be 400 years from now before your descendents inherit the land.

Okay, Lord, I’m here! Now what do I do?

And Rahab? She’s a prostitute!

While Abraham may seem so exalted that we cannot achieve his goodness – Rahab reminds us that God frequently chooses the weak and foolish things of the world to shame the wise and powerful.

So it doesn’t really matter who or where you are. Whether you are somebody or nobody, God calls you all to one and the same faith.