Heart of Faith

“What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?... Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. “ –James 2:14,17

For years I looked at this verse in a rather narrow way. When I heard the word “works,” my first thought was primarily about doing something.

But knowing that God looks at our hearts (I Samuel 16:7), I decided to dig a bit deeper into the entire passage (James 2:14-26). What I found has reminded me of the importance of having a heart of faith.

The beginning of the passage cites the example of helping a brother in need (rather than just wishing him well) and refers to this as “works.” But what struck me was the other two examples that James gives. One is of Abraham sacrificing his son (Genesis 22) and the other is Rahab hiding the spies (Joshua 2). In both of these examples, as well as the first, there was a risk involved - and ultimately a question of faith:

• Will God continue to meet my needs even if I use my resources to help someone else?
• Will He comfort me in my grief, and somehow use it for good if I trust Him with my loved one?
• Will God protect me and my family if I obey Him even when it seems foolish?

Depending on our own circumstances, these specific questions may or may not apply.  But the underlying  principle is really very simple: Do I trust in the character and promises of God? And if so, do I “work” that out by my choices? Do I rely more on my own “common sense” or do I obey even in the face of fear or confusion - like Abraham and Rahab did?

God is faithful, and it is an affront to His character when I prove by my actions that I don’t truly believe that. I want to show God that I trust Him, not just say that I do.

When Joshua was bidding farewell to the Israelites, he reminded them of the unwavering faithfulness of God.

“Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one word of all the good words which the LORD your God spoke concerning you has failed; all have been fulfilled for you, not one of them has failed.” –Joshua 23:14

How much of what I think, say, do (or don’t do), stems from a heart of faith?  It’s a question I’m asking myself these days.