For some folks, faith is little more than a topic of discussion.
That’s the way it is with the guy in James 2:18, an intellectual
guy who says,
”
Hey … some are into faith, others are into doing good deeds
… that’s cool, different strokes for different folks … let’s
discuss it.
”
For some folks, faith is little more than a topic of discussion. That’s the way it is with the guy in James 2:18, an intellectual guy who says, “Hey … some are into faith, others are into doing good deeds … that’s cool, different strokes for different folks … let’s discuss it.” To this kind of person James says: “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do” (James 2:18). The key words in this verse are “show me.” James says that real faith is visible; it’s something you can see.
It doesn’t all happen overnight, but you should start seeing some changes immediately after you become a Christian. Maybe I’m just dense, but I can’t see how someone as big as God can come into your life without it being seen. Jimmy Carter, in his book, “Why Not The Best,” said one of the turning points in his life was when someone asked him, “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would they have enough evidence to convict you?” That’s a good question for all of us.
In verse 19, James asks, “Do you still think it’s enough just to believe that there is one God? Well, even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror!” He’s saying that faith is about more than just acknowledging the fact that there is a God. Many people have strong beliefs about God and the Bible: They can recite creeds, talk about all sorts of doctrines and quote hundreds of Bible verses, but James says, “Big deal … knowing all that stuff still won’t get you into heaven.” He points out that even demons can do that.
Did you know that Satan is a great theologian? He knows much more about the Bible than you or I. And he and his demons have never been atheists. Why? Because they know there is a God (this is why James says they “tremble”). What James is pointing out is the fact that there are different kinds of “belief.” The kind he is discussing here is intellectual agreement with a premise. In this case, the premise that God exists. But there’s a world (or should I say an eternity) of difference between faith in the fact that God exists and faith in God. I have faith in the fact that Hitler existed, but that doesn’t make me a Nazi. I have faith in the fact that Buddha existed, but I’m not a Buddhist any more than I’m a Muslim because I believe Mohammed existed. But I am a Christian. Why? Not because I believe Jesus existed, but because I have entrusted my entire life to his keeping. Faith in God means trusting and giving control of your life to God, and that is one thing Satan (and many of us) will never do.
In verses 21-26, James uses two very different people as examples of what real faith is all about: Abraham and Rahab, the father of Judaism and a prostitute. About the only thing they had in common was the fact that they both committed their lives to God and demonstrated their faith in what they did.
Many years ago, the famous tightrope artist Blondin walked across Niagara Falls as a publicity stunt. Thousands lined up on both sides of the falls to see his amazing feat. As he walked toward the middle, the crowd held its breath, knowing that one misstep would mean sure death. As his foot touched ground on the other side, the crowd erupted in a tremendous roar. Blondin held up his hand, turned and walked back across; again the crowd went wild. He then filled a wheelbarrow with dirt and made the trip back and forth nine or 10 times. He then looked into the crowd at a man who was shouting his praises louder than all the others, walked over to him and asked, “Sir, do you think I can walk this loaded wheelbarrow across again?” The man did not hesitate: “Absolutely,” he said, “I have complete faith that you could do it all day long.” Blondin then smiled, dumped the dirt on the ground, and said, “Great! Then get in the wheelbarrow.”
This old story is a perfect illustration of what God asks us do. We see His love and power and ability demonstrated over and over again, and he always comes through. Then one day he comes to us and says “Do you believe in me? Then get in wheelbarrow.” Real faith is not standing on the sidelines shouting God’s praises and believing he can do it … real faith is getting in the wheelbarrow. Got faith?
