“How are you?” It’s a standard greeting but not one we expect a response to. We ask it, expecting the other person to say “I’m fine.” So, what do we do when the other person misses the social cues and gives an honest and reasonable answer to the question? Do we say “Bless you” and try to curtail the awkward conversation to welcome the next person? Do we maybe offer to pray for the person realising we probably won’t achieve this?
A look at the text (Read James 2:14-17)
James argues that faith that doesn’t come with works is useless, it’s unprofitable so that you won’t gain from it. In a shocking statement, he tells his readers that this kind of faith is unable to save. This is the kind of claim that will make us sit up and pay attention. Aren’t we saved by faith alone (2:14).
So James sets up an example. We would hope that it is hypothetical but it may be based on actual reports. He describes a Christian who is without food and clothing, in dire need. Another Christian blesses them, telling them they can know peace, that God will provide for them all that they need. In effect, encouraging the person without to show faith and trust God to provide. However, they do nothing to practically help, they fail to offer a meal, they won’t buy clothes for them or even lend them some of their own old clothes. James asks “What’s the point in that (2:15-16). This reinforces his point that the person’s faith is “dead”. It’s useless and powerless.
Digging Deeper
This may sound shocking and we may even think that it contradicts other parts of the bible until we think a bit more carefully about it. First, consider how Jesus taught about those who fed and clothed him by caring for the vulnerable among them and contrasted them with those who didn’t. Those who failed to care for the least showed that they did not know and recognise Jesus, they belonged with the goats and Christ’s verdict was that he did not know them.
Secondly, Paul in Ephesians 2 says that we are saved by grace through faith but that we are saved for good works. In other words, salvation is meant to result in changed lives. Paul and James would agree that living faith results in actions. It’s not that we add works to faith in order to do something that faith lacks. It’s that our works show whether or not we really have true faith in God.
A look at ourselves
Whilst we may have things to learn here about our compassion for the wider community around us, the focus here is primarily on how we relate to each other in the church family. If there is someone who is facing hardship in the church then the onus is on others around them to show faith. I show faith by being willing to share generously, trusting God that when I an generous that he will continue to provide for me. I show faith because I demonstrate that God through Jesus has genuinely brought about change in my life by removing my selfishness and greed.
Faithroots 