James 2:17-18 (KJV) 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
James 2:17 (AMP) 17 So also faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead).
Did you ever notice that your actions follow your words? We almost always express what we’re going to do before we do it. Think about that! We get an idea and then we talk about it – usually to ourselves at first and then to others.
James says that even though we say we have faith, if our actions don’t go along with what we are saying, then our faith is dead. And who wants dead faith!
Just as confession is the voice of your faith, actions are the proof of your faith. Faith is an action word but just what does that mean? Let me use love as an example.
If you say you love someone but your actions don’t show it, then why would that person believe you? Anyone can say, “I love you” but do they really mean it and how would you know? You would know by their actions and how they treat you.
It’s the same with faith. If you’re standing in faith for something, it will be evident in how you act. That bulldog tenacity will show!
There’s so much lying going on in this world that it’s a wonder we believe anything people say! It seems that many people will lie at the drop of a hat and think nothing of it. Why? Most likely because they really don’t value their words and therefore are not people of their word. They’re not reliable and can’t be counted on to follow through with what they say. I think we all know people like that.
And so it is with faith. Anyone can say they have faith but faith for what? Faith to get saved? Faith for healing? Faith for provision? Faith for what? If your actions don’t demonstrate your faith, then you don’t have operative faith. You have dead faith! And that’s not good!
Continued next time — Pamela
Pamela Moyle Ministries 