Do Our Actions Prove We Have Faith?

In the business world I meet a lot of people. I am vocal about being a Christian and meet very many people who respond that they are also, only to find they are living in sexual sin and or show no evidence of being born again. 

James shows us that our actions say a lot about our spiritual condition. In our day we are bombarded with pastors, preachers and teachers who encourage us, while we live in sin and rebellion. They will not warn us. They tickle our ears and enjoy the money they are given. If you are concerned about your soul, you must search the New Testament as to what you must do. Each of us is responsible to obey God. Do you know what that means? If not, search the scriptures as if your soul depends on it. It does. 

James 2 ISV

12You must make it your habit to speak and act like people who are going to be judged by the law of liberty. 13For the one who has shown no mercy will be judged without mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

14What good does it do, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith but does not prove it with actions? This kind of faith cannot save him, can it? 15Suppose a brother or sister does not have any clothes or daily food 16and one of you tells them, “Go in peace! Stay warm and eat heartily.” If you do not provide for their bodily needs, what good does it do? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it does not prove itself with actions, is dead.

18But someone may say, “You have faith, and I have actions.” Show me your faith without any actions, and I will show you my faith by my actions. 19You believe that there is one God. That’s fine! Even the demons believe that and tremble with fear. 20Do you want proof, you foolish person, that faith without actions is worthless? 

21Our ancestor Abraham was justified by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar, wasn’t he? 22Youh see that his faith worked together with what he did, and by his actions his faith was made complete. 23And so the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”i And so he was called God’s friend. 24Youj observe that a person is justified through actions and not through faith alone.

25Likewise, Rahab the prostitute was justified through actions when she welcomed the messengersk and sent them away on a different road, wasn’t she? 26For just as the body without the spiritl is dead, so faith without actions is also dead.