Session 17

Faith = Action

From The Gospel: Five Words You Need to Know

READ:

• John 13:35                    
• James 2:14–26
• Hebrews 10:19–25
                    
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.—James 2:17 (ESV)
                    
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another—James 13:35 
                    
Faith is essential to salvation. It is what saves us and what God gives us in order to be able to see Him more clearly. However, He is clear that having faith is just the beginning. Faith is the precursor to action. Faith causes you to change. The world will believe based on what you DO. Jesus shows us that. Your faith is truly living when it is shown through action. In fact, James 2 goes as far as to say that “without works (evidence), your faith is dead.”
                    
It is important to realize that your works (what you do) do not save you. But it is evidence to all those around you that you mean what you say. If you are always saying how “God is love so God loves everybody,” but then you are known for your gossip and the harsh way you treat people, no one is going to want to get to know your God. In fact, Jesus told us in James that the world would know Him by the way that we love each other. That is a big responsibility. You are the representation of God to all the people in your life.
                    
What does this mean in your day-to-day life? How about being known for what you are FOR rather than what you are AGAINST all the time? Be nice to people. Go out of your way to start a friendship with someone you know doesn’t have many friends. Be the person you would want to be around. Be Jesus to people.
                    
RESPOND:                
• Honestly, how has your faith in Jesus been showing itself lately?
• What are some real ways that you can begin to SHOW people what you have faith in?