Mountaintop Musings: The tension of faith and works

In the New Testament book called “James”, written by Jesus’ half-brother, there are several verses that people misread, or misapply on a regular basis. I hope that for most people it is an honest mistake. It is easy to come to a section of Scripture and read it, but fail to grasp the intent and application the author intended. Yes, there are some real basic and time-tested principles to properly interpreting and applying God’s Word in to our lives.

Some read verse 22 of chapter one and decide they are not “doing” enough for God. So, they get busy, they make plans, they starting building; writing, working and they really get after it. Then after a while they are burnt out, frustrated, and discover those around them are kind of upset with them. They have been “doers of the word and not hearers only,” but all they are looking at is frustration and angry people!

A companion verse that gets so many in over their heads is found in chapter two, verse 17. That verse states, “even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” There they say is the proof that I have to be busy, and doing lots of “things” to really merit favor with God and if we would be so honest, prove to others how “spiritual and godly” we are. This mindset can really get us in trouble if not checked.

The third leg of scripture that gets people is verse 24 of chapter two, “Ye see, then, that by works a man is justified and not by faith only.” Boy they say that is it! I can only gain favor with God by working for him, being busy, doing this and doing that, because after all everyone knows that “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop” right? Well, in reading the book of James and comparing it to the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) you will find that much of what James tells us is exactly what Jesus said during his ministry. The overlap is amazing, but hey James grew up with Jesus and knew him very well. Plus, he probably heard him teach many times, even if he did not become a disciple until after the resurrection.

James uses the example of Abraham in chapter two to tell us that a person who has a genuine and real faith/trust/relationship with the Living God will have a life that reflects that faith. After all scripture tells us three times that “Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness”. You can read Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:3, and Galatians 3:6. It seems to me that God is telling us He does not want people paying “lip service” to His Word. In other words, walk the talk. You have to have the balance of real faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and when you do the Holy Spirit of God will empower and motivate you to live out that faith in a way that will impact those around you.

There is a balance in this that we often miss, and the result is condemnation of self, or of others. Neither of which is the most excellent way God would have his people go. My sermon this coming Sunday will touch on this topic as we look at Galatians chapter five, verse six. Paul says Christians are to “walk in the Spirit”. That is really what James tells us too. This verse really points to how a Christian moves through their journey of life. Is it just me doing my best to follow God, or is there something more? Drop in to the library in Lincoln this coming Sunday at 11 a.m. and we will continue this conversation! Until next time!

(Dave & Lisa Carroll are area missionaries with InFaith, America’s oldest Christian home mission agency. You can contact Dave at 406.459.8935 or [email protected].)