Faith without works is dead
How many times have you gone to your priest, rabbi, father, pastor, minister, reverend, deacon, etc. for assistance during a time of trouble, only to hear them say “I will pray for you” or “you need to take that up with God.” How many times have you prayed to God about a situation only to open your mouth and speak negative into the situation just as soon as you get finished praying? I want you to know that you are not alone in this. There are many who do these things and get upset with God and the church and turn away because their desires and wishes were not met or did not happen the way that they wanted.
Have you ever heard that your words, once you have spoken them, just like a pebble thrown into the sea, can never be taken back? So is the same when you ask God for something and turn around and cast doubt before God has even had a chance to work on your behalf.
In the book of James, the 2nd Chapter verses 14-26(NKJV)
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
When you ask God for something, that is you having faith by turning it over to God. Giving God praise for acting on your faith and thanking God for acting even before the outcome is you putting in the work of letting God work. Ask and be positive in your conversation about what you have asked for because faith without works is dead.
Rev. Dr. Christopher L. Thompson is pastor of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Okatie.
