The Acid Test of Your Faith
Is Your Faith Dead or Alive?
When it comes to our Faith you can’t fool people with words. It’s not what you say but what you do that telegraphs who you really are. In James’ epistle, we find the acid test of faith, “Faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26).
James, through the Holy Spirit, proves that religion without a relationship with Christ is dead and useless. Such fruitless faith is powerless to save anyone. It’s all talk and no walk. Words without actions are meaningless. Believing in God is not enough! Your deeds are evidence of genuine faith and regeneration in Christ—you’ve been born-again. Even the devil believes in God, so belief in God that is not accompanied by good works is not going to save anyone.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? (James 2:19-20)
Genuine saving faith in God always reveals itself in deeds or actions that flow from our relationship with God. Those with real faith in God will actively emulate Christ as God’s divine nature and Spirit transform their lives. James tells us to hear God’s word and not practice it is like looking at yourself in a mirror and being unable to remember what you look like. It’s like taking a selfie, posting it, and then being unable to recognize that it’s you—it’s just not possible. Genuine faith always produces Christlike behavior and the absence thereof indicates your faith is not alive but dead. Consider what Jesus said:
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)
James expounds on the practical evidence of one’s faith. If your faith is alive and real you will endure trials, receive God’s wisdom, be a doer and not just a hearer, control your words and thoughts, keep a tight rein on your tongue, be humble, show no favoritism between the rich and poor, avoid harboring bitterness and selfish ambition which are demonic, resist the devil, cease all slander, confesses your faults, and receive healing. In short, genuine faith produces a Spirit-filled Spirit-led life evidenced by one’s godly character and good deeds. You cannot separate faith from works.
God’s grace (His divine favor and assistance) is available to all “through faith.” But it is not available through dead faith but faith that is genuine. We are not saved by works (good deeds) but good deeds are the evidence of genuine faith.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. (Eph. 2:8-9)
Real faith is more than reforming your ways and doing good, it is a life-changing transformation that births in us a new spiritual person. We are born again as a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). In no way is James trying to pressure or shame people into doing good deeds. His aim is to reveal the absence of good deeds should be and is a wake-up call that your faith is not saving faith but a mere religious profession and it’s as dead as a graveyard corpse.
There are many lifeless religions that believe in God but do not know or understand the saving knowledge and power of Christ. They are clueless about the necessity of repentance and being born again. While professing the Christian Faith their life remains a contradiction to the godly deeds true faith produces. The born-again experience and life in Christ, through Christ, and led by the indwelling Holy Spirit’s presence does not exist. There is no denying of self, taking up the cross, and following Jesus (Mat. 16:24). There is no testimony of being crucified with Christ and dying to self and living for God as the apostle Paul explained.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
When we turn to Christ there is an invisible inner transformation that frees us from the dark bondage of sin and manifests itself in visible outward change that all can see. Lying, stealing, drug addictions, drunkenness, hatred, slander, unforgiveness, bitterness, foul language, sexual immorality, homosexuality, and many other improper attitudes and behaviors are all exposed for what they are—ungodliness. We have come into a new day, a new life, a new heart, a new mind and we no longer have the appetite for sin but our desire is to please the Lord who has saved us from the pit of sin.
Friend, will your faith take you to heaven? Have you been born-again? Is this your wake-up call?
How to Turn to God
Perhaps at this very moment, you have realized that you need the Lord in your life. Maybe you drifted away or need to be born again? If so, you can stop right now and begin talking to God. Ask Him to forgive you for being a sinner and for the life you have been living outside of His love. Surrender your life to Him, unconditionally. Call Him Lord and make Him Lord of every thought, attitude, and action. You can say, Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins and come into my heart and take full control of my life. I am your child from this day forward. Change my heart and mind to be Christ-like in every way. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior forever.
You may also want to read: Once Saved Always Saved
