Faith Alive

 

lakeside in St Madeleine Trinidad

James 2:26, as it is written,

For as the human body apart from the spirit is lifeless, so faith apart from [its] works of obedience is also dead. (AMPC)

If you have faith and do not operate in that faith, then that faith is as good as dead – operating in faith, spiritual faith, gives that faith life. “Works” speaks of spiritual work, rather than moral work. It is the work of faith. It is working in faith.

This passage of Scripture is often misinterpreted in that, we read it, then start rushing around in our own strength searching for “good works” to perform. That manner of good work cannot bear witness to our faith. Running off to feed the homeless and donating used clothing to the poor, are indeed good to do, however, are not the “good works” to which James was referring. He was talking about acting on our faith, in order to activate our faith. 

James 2:14, 17, as it is written,

What is the benefit, my fellow believers, if someone claims to have faith but has no [good] works [as evidence]? Can that [kind of] faith save him? [No, a mere claim of faith is not sufficient—genuine faith produces good works.] So too, faith, if it does not have works [to back it up], is by itself dead [inoperative and ineffective]. (AMP)

We must be obedient to the faith we profess to have.

James 2:20, as it is written,

Are you willing to be shown [proof], you foolish (unproductive, spiritually deficient) fellow, that faith apart from [good] works is inactive and ineffective and worthless? (AMPC)

Read verses 21-25

Abraham worked in faith (operated his faith) when he placed his son Isaac upon the altar – Genesis 22:1-4. That was faith with works.

James 2:22, as it is written,

You see that [his] faith was working together with his works, and as a result of the works, his faith was completed [reaching its maturity when he expressed his faith through obedience].(AMP)

Abraham exercised and expressed and implemented his faith in God by bringing Isaac to that altar – he acted on his faith – he made his faith alive; by his actions, he gave life to his faith; Abraham believed in (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on) God –verse 23 (AMPC) – Abraham conformed to God’s will in thought and in action. He was obedient to his faith.

James 2:24, as it is written,

You see that a man is justified (pronounced righteous before God) through what he does and not alone through faith [through works of obedience as well as by what he believes]. (AMPC)

Here, in this verse, it is made clear, that faith alone, by itself, is not enough. Faith must be made active and released through our working in faith – conducting our lives, living, and walking, in the faith we profess – believing in, trusting completely in, relying on, and depending on God. 

We must be obedient to our faith to make our faith alive. 

Finally, we see in Joshua 2:1-21, that Rahab operated in faith when she hid the two spies. She believed the Lord, that she and her entire family would be delivered. Rahab believed that the sign, the scarlet cord, she would leave hanging in the window would be seen, even amidst the chaos. She had faith and believed that the Lord would indeed use those spies to rescue her and her family. When Rahab sent the two men away by a different route, she was operating in faith – faith with works.

We must act before we see – that is faith with works…that is, faith alive.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Faith Alive“ © 2012 revisited April 22, 2025