James (W5D1) What Good Is It?
Week 5. Monday: What Good Is It?
PRAY: Ask God to speak to you from His Word.
READ: James 2:14
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?
UNDERSTAND: get a deeper understanding of the key words
What good is it: Another way to translate this is, “What advantage is it?” or “What does it profit?” There is no good in having faith that is not proven by action. Our actions either prove or disprove the authenticity of our faith.
Claims to have faith: It’s easy to claim that we have faith. Almost everyone in our culture today says they have faith of some kind. If we’re not careful we will work hard to give the appearance of having faith. But faith is not something to be merely claimed or paraded. Faith is intended to change everything about who we are ultimately how we live.
Has no deeds: James is asking a question to make his case much like Jesus would do in the Gospels. What’s the point of even having faith without action? If our faith does not drive how we behave, our faith is of no value to us or anyone else.
Can such faith save them?: James is not arguing that good deeds will bring us salvation. Good deeds are the evidence of genuine faith. Real faith will drive us to live in such a way that honors God and serves others.
APPLY: What is this passage calling me to do?
Why do we feel the need to appear that we have faith to others?
Why kind of things do we do to try to portray the appearance of faith?
James is saying that faith without genuine deeds cannot save us. Do you have the kind of faith that can save you?
PRAY: Ask God to help you genuinely live out your faith.
