Daily Devotional - WK12 - Day 56 - 03/17/2024 - Faith in Action

Author: Missionary Ruth Change

Faith Without Work Is Dead

James 2:15-20
15)  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16)  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17)  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18)  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19)  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20)  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Devotional:
I love how the 15th verse lets us know that we will encounter people who are in need.  Verse-16 goes on to say; in today’s language. “God bless you”, but we do nothing to feed or clothe them.  Your words alone are not helping them.  We can have faith that God is able to meet the needs of everyone on this earth, and He is, but He does it through people.
We are God’s hands and feet in the earth that not only spread the good news of Jesus Christ, but we are also the hands, feet, and finances that meet the needs of others.  I have often heard, “you can’t preach to a hungry person”, but once you have met the physical need, then you can offer the spiritual food that they need. The devil believes and even trembles at the name of Jesus, so talking the Word and not doing what the Word says profits you little.  Remember Faith without your works is dead.

As you go throughout your day today, think about how men is seeing your good works that is glorifying our Father, which is in heaven. Men need to see you doing work for the Lord. That's how unbelievers learn of the goodness of the Lord. 

Prayer:  
Father, we thank You for choosing us to be Your hands, feet, and finances in the earth.  Help us to remember that it’s only by the grace of God that we are not the ones in need.  Help us to remember that when we help others, we are doing ministry. In Jesus' name, Amen.