faith and works: a co-dependent relationship

"You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected."  James 2:22

This "faith and works" passage in James is familiar to most Christians.  We've all learned that faith without works is useless (2:20) since such a faith hardly inspires others to believe or to kindle a life-changing relationship with our Heavenly Father ("can that faith save him?" v. 14).

But this week God showed me a different spin on this passage.  I always saw it as faith being dependent on works, meaning our faith really isn't mature until we allow it to manifest itself in our works.  This viewpoint is still as true as ever, but really, faith and works are co-dependent.  Works depend on faith just as much as faith depends on works.

The fact is, practicing works usually requires faith from us, especially in difficult situations.  Choosing to worship when you feel despondent, choosing to give to the poor when your bank account is running on empty, even choosing to read your Bible when you're dead-tired are all works that require faith.

When we carry out a faith-based work, we inspire others and point them to the One who placed that work upon our hearts.  And by doing that work, we exercise the very faith it takes to carry it out.

Faith is perfected through our works (v. 22).  Carrying out those works prevents our faith from being useless, or worse, dead (vs. 17 and 26).  Faith and works build upon each other; they make each other stronger and more lasting.  Faith requires works, and works require faith.  We can't have one without the other.

hope for when we stumble

"For whoever keeps the whole law yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all."  James 2:10
"Mercy triumphs over judgment."  James 2:13b

As I read through the first part of the second chapter of James this afternoon, I couldn't help but ruminate over the last few days, few weeks, few months, and count just how many times I've stumbled.  And forget about just stumbling in "one point," for me it's more along the lines of "at least ten."

When I read verse 10, I checked out the scriptural cross-references for the word "stumble," and found hope for my discouragement:

First, James 3:2 tells us that "we all stumble in many ways."  You got that right!  I was thankful for the reminder that we all struggle in different areas, and even on the straightest path we will all encounter times when we stumble.  So I'm not alone in this.

Second, 2 Peter 1:10 instructs us to practice certain "things" so that we will never stumble.  If we look earlier in the passage, we find those "things" he's talking about:  faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.  Kind of like the fruits of the Spirit on steroids!  They all seem build upon each other, and while it's nice to have the list, it's also a little daunting at the same time.  How in the world can anyone keep this up in order not to stumble?

That's where the last reference comes in.  The twenty-fourth verse in the very brief yet very powerful book of Jude tells us that God is "able to keep us from stumbling."  So we don't have to do it on our own.  He knows that without Him we're weak, but He also knows that with Him we're strong and capable of so much more than we realize.  So many times the wrong thinking jumpstarts my guilt during times of stumbling; I figure that since I'm human, I'm also weak and useless, and there's nothing that can help me change.  I'm thinking that's the mindset in which the enemy wants me to stay. 

What I need to realize is that I don't have to be weak and useless.  That's part of Jesus' transforming work on the cross, as well as His resurrection; our old self with its sinful nature died with Him, and when He rose from the dead, He unlocked brand new lives for each of us as well.  I'm certain that this is good news for so many others too, unless I miss my guess on how alike we all really are. 

Now, as long as we're on this earth, we will struggle with certain temptations and sins.  That's our flesh trying to get us to return to our old ways.  And we will most likely stumble from time to time.  But God is quick to show mercy to us (James 2:13), and if we abide in Him, we have access to more power and grace than we ever thought possible.  If you've stumbled, ask God to take your hands and help you stand back up.  Dust off your knees, wipe your brow, and follow Him up that path He has for you.  I can think of no better guide than the One who laid the road.

quick thoughts on anger

"...the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God."

~James 1:20

I read this verse a few weeks ago and have meditated on it a bit since then. 

In the book of Ephesians, Paul advises us to "be angry, and yet do not sin" (4:26).  He knew that as humans, anger is an inevitable emotion for all of us in this fallen world.  But he also knew that without the love of God in our hearts, this anger can become a catalyst in the manifestation of any number of sins since without His help, we have no hope of controlling this powerful emotion on our own.

Being angry on occasion is normal, and sometimes even beneficial if we keep tabs on it and deal with it properly.  But we're not designed to harbor our anger continuously.  That's where the above verse in James comes in.  Even if we call on God's help in the midst of an episode of anger, and we are successful in avoiding any kind of sin during that time, I really think being angry for an extended period of time can prevent us from running after His righteousness and blessings.  Of course there are exceptions to this rule; sometimes righteous indignation combined with Providence can certainly further God's kingdom (such as Jesus turning over the money-changers' tables in the Temple).  But for the most part, we're better off if we deal with our anger quickly and concisely, without giving in to the temptation to sin and without letting our anger keep us from doing what God has called us to do.

I'm usually not one to act out on my anger; I tend to be more prone to stuffing my anger inside and letting it stew instead.  But I'm thinking that doing this is really just as bad as physically acting out my anger.  If I'm angry at someone, and do nothing to fix the situation, I'm usually rendered useless in regards to His kingdom.  In addition, that anger makes me vulnerable toward more attacks from the Enemy; just check out a later verse in that passage in James, where he says that allowing our anger to remain in us only gives the devil "an opportunity" (v. 27), or in other translations, "a foothold."  Anger will only beget more anger, and that anger will only beget sin, unless we call on God the minute that powerful emotion sets in and ask for His help in resolving it.  A life bent toward achieving His righteousness can't be spent wading in the mucky waters of anger and bitterness.