I’ve received this message more times than I care to admit, over a bunch of years and it would be an understatement to say it’s changing the way I approach stuff. I’ve read a number of authors who want to know, ‘okay, Charles, you can talk the talk; but can you walk the walk?’. What is James’ message that has the potential to change one’s life?
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. James 2.17-19
So let us unpack this question a bit. First, who is James addressing? The answer is us (just take my word for it for now). The Bible (code for the Word of God) I’ve come to realize, is always, in one form or another, speaking to me/us. Then we have James dividing everybody up into two groups: those who have faith and those who have works. In today’s parlance, faith is letting folks know that I’m a believer in Jesus Christ, a Christian. “Works”, at least for James’ intent, starts with a faith that is not complete without the lifestyle (works/actions) that prove, if you will, faith.
Give me a faith (talk) Lord, that is replete with and proving my works/actions (the walk) all day long. Amen.
