James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can his faith save him?
When someone claims to have faith, what they may have is intellectual assent – agreement with a set of Christian teachings, but as such would be incomplete faith. True faith transforms our conduct as well as our thoughts. If our behavior remains unchanged, it is not true faith.
Putting action to our faith
Christians do not earn salvation through works. The greek word for works here is ἔργον, which is translated as a moral action or deed with adjectives defining its character. As Christians, we desire to be more like Christ, which is to love others, and we do that by works. A moral deed or action can look very different for each person; your and my actions do not have to be the same. In fact, they shouldn’t be because we all have different talents, interests, and passions. I would suggest that you incorporate what you love to do into your actions to show love to others. God does not call us all to serve in the same place and way. Thank goodness, He has not asked me to help with elementary-aged kids, that is my nightmare, but others love assisting with that age.
Intellectual faith cannot save you. When your faith is genuine, your actions will follow. How is your faith living and active today? Where do you like to serve and show the love of Christ to others?
The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Jas 2:14). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
