Faith and Works

James 1:1-2:26

Testing our faith, as one would test a ladder to see if it will hold our weight, or as we test the brakes on the car to make sure they will stop us when we are coming to dangerous curves, or even how we are tested to make certain we have learned enough in a subject to progress on to the next level; this is how our faith is tested, and for the same reasons, I think.

James says that if we lack wisdom we should ask for it-and we have an example of that asking, and the gift that is given in Solomon. He asked for wisdom and it was reckoned to him as righteousness; so we know that James is telling the truth here when he says if we ask for wisdom God will answer that prayer.

In verse 12 James says rejoice when you have been tested and passed the test-and this I would do under the other circumstances so it makes sense to me to do so here. The next thing James says, though is interesting. He says God does not temp us-but rather it is our own desires that do so. For me it is my own head that makes me wish to sleep another hour when I should be getting up, or have an extra bowl of ice cream because it tastes good; these definitely are enticements of my own doing. So, again I think he is correct here.

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

 So, James says do not be deceived - every good gift comes from God. Well, again that makes sense; the earth is the Lord's for he made it...every good gift comes from God. OK I will endeavor to remember that.


When we are instructed by James to be doers of the word and not hearers only, it reminds me of the passage we read a few days ago, where it said we are not to judge others, but that by our works WE will be judged. So in this case James is saying the same thing-listen to the Word, listen to our neighbors; see them as they are in need and respond as we would like to have them respond to us-in this way we show our faith. Our actions should point to God and bring glory to him. If our actions are solely focused on our selves and our desires, then we are falling into this path of sin and death that James talks about just a few verses earlier.


In that light then, the admonition to resist partiality makes sense; if we think of others according to their lot in life or their appearance we are putting ourselves in the place of God and judging them. Our actions can bring glory to God or to ourselves; which should we choose? I think I would choose this living, visible faith, and pray for wisdom.


See you tomorrow.
-maggie