Indeed, someone might say, “You have faith and I have works.” Demonstrate your faith to me without works, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works. You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe that and tremble. Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by the works. Thus, the Scripture was fulfilled that says,
Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called the friend of God. See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. (James 2:14-24, 26)
James had it right. Jesus sought justice, and justice cannot be achieved through faith alone. Works are needed. Do we need proof, we ignoramuses, that faith without works is useless? Just as our bodies without a spirit are dead, so also our faith without works is dead. Sobering to be sure.
Perhaps God should have written on those tablets another commandment: "Be kind to each other, and don't do anything stupid." Kindness is best shown though works of care, compassion, and love. This happens when our bodies of Christ get to work, and we stop being stupid.
Deacon David Pierce
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