Faithful Works

Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”–and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.                                                                                                      James 2:21-24

I have been thinking about my own religious history as a woman recently told me that her religion was all about her works. Unfortunately, we did not have opportunity to take that conversation any deeper.

While I don’t remember much about the church I grew up in, when I was an adult my mother told me the only thing that was ever taught there was, “love your neighbor.” After marriage, I left there and went to a church that was all about personal faith in Jesus Christ. I heard a lot about my personal faith and obedience, and nothing about loving my neighbor.

One was all about works toward my neighbor and the other ignored my neighbor, and just wanted to hear about my faith.  The lady I spoke to recently didn’t mention her faith, but got me thinking about my own works.

Our conversation came as we  were leaving a sermon on 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

It is a regular thing to hear someone in our church talking about using our gifts to love our neighbors. We have many who love their neighbor in very real ways in their daily lives – in their homes, in their workplaces, at abortion mills, and within their areas of influence. Sometimes, as a church, we never hear about them. They do these works because of their faith, not to advertise it on Sunday morning.

James, in the verses above, makes it pretty clear.  He states earlier that faith without works is dead. The opposite is also true. Works without faith are meaningless before God. In fact, He says our works are like filthy rags to Him (Isaiah 64:6 KJV).

James reminds us that our righteousness before God comes from faith. Like Abraham, it is faith that saves us. This faith though, will be demonstrated by works.  Paul said, “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (emphasis mine).

Our personal faith is all about us and our eternity in heaven. Our works are all about the good of others, here and now.

It is probably a good check on our faith to ask ourselves occasionally,  “Am I serving others and considering them more important than myself, or am I more focused on my own faith and my own needs?”