We’re familiar with James 2:26: “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” Do we know what it implies?
James is talking about living life in a way that bears witness to one’s faith. Regarding works, he is not talking about, “you should memorize your Bible more, pray for an hour, go to church, volunteer, labor for God from dawn to dusk,” and so on. This is not the aim of the passage.
Suppose we are hesitant about our faith, whether it is enough. We may feel pressured to do more to make up for it. We may double up on the tasks we do to confirm that we really are faithful believers. This may result in the tyranny of the urgent. Performance anxiety. The feeling that we’re not doing enough nor good enough.
In reality, all our works of faith revolve around Jesus. Our faith is centered on a Person. All we do is about Him. It’s not about trying harder, but resting in what He has done for us, and living out our lives from that perspective. Galatians 5:6 puts it well, a “faith working through love.” Where we are acting out of love for Jesus, that’s a worthy work of faith. That’s His easy yoke that the Jews missed out on because they got mired down in works-righteousness through the law.
The works that accompany faith are simple.
Yielding to Him is a work of faith where you are deliberately not allowing the sinful flesh to work. In this work, you are obeying the Lord. “Lord, I present myself to You as a tool of righteousness” (Romans 6:13).
Examining the options that are open to you and asking for help is a work of faith based on promises that He will provide. “Lord, grant me wisdom as I consider my choices.”
Seeking strength to deal with difficult relationships is an act of faith that trusts that He will provide. “Lord, teach me how to love this difficult person.”
Seeking the Lord’s direction and presence through the Word points our faith to Him. “Lord, teach me Your Word. Shine Your light on my path.”
Standing against sin and temptation is faith applied honorably. “Give me strength to resist this enemy that is tempting me now.”
Extended prayer to intercede for others is a worthy work of faith. “Lord, help this person who is going through severe difficulties.”
Worshiping the Almighty is a pure expression of faith. “I just want to take this moment to worship You.”
Responding to the prompting of the Spirit or by a teaching of the Word is faith in action. “Yes, Lord, grant me strength to do what You say.”
Applying our minds and will to carry out the vision of God is an act of faith. “Help me form my gospel message and tell it to the lost.”
We bear with the present trial as we look to spend eternity with Jesus. “Grant me strength to bear this, and thank you for the coming life when it will be no more.”
Biblical faith is lived throughout the daily events of ordinary life. Such a life of faith releases the enabling grace of God.
But when we feel compelled to take on more responsibilities to make up for any perceived shortcomings, like not feeling we’re good enough, then we’ll place our faith in our works, hoping that they make up for the shortcomings. More busy-ness is not a faith-oriented life. Faith is to be centered in Christ, not self or works. Faith’s responses to Christ constitute the works of faith. The just shall live by faith (Romans 1:16-17). They make a hundred different daily decisions to take the high road to honor the Lord.
The OT and Pharisaic laws the Jews were obligated to fulfill made life miserable for them (Acts 15:10). Jesus came to remove from us that burden of never-ending laws (Matthew 11:28-30) and replace that burden with His easier yoke of faith. Just enjoy a relationship with Him of faith. That is a life of faith that works through love to God and man.
