“For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.” James 2:26
Jesus said, “I am the Resurrection and the Life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.” (John 11:25-26) Often we live a life of death, one without hope, joy, love, or peace. Jesus has called every one of us, believer or not, to a standard of life; a joyful life, a life filled with love, hope and peace. A life with Him.
After receiving the gift of salvation of Christ Jesus, believers often still live as though they aren’t indwelled by the Life of Christ, choosing to live a worldly life filled with anxiety, fear and sorrow. Especially this past year, God has challenged us to examine if our faith in Christ is genuine or not. In the book of James, he states that faith in Christ Jesus is as important as the actions and the deeds of our lives. Faith without works is dead, but also works without faith is dead. We can’t have one without the other. (James 2:14-26)
Examining our hearts regularly helps us to identify what we truly believe about Jesus Christ. Some questions that come to mind in this exercise of self-examination are:
- If we have the Life of Jesus Christ in us are we still living as though we are dead?
- Is there evidence that His life in us is producing fruit?
- When trials and temptations come do we stand firm in Christ Jesus who is our stronghold and defender?
James encourages us to persevere through the challenges that come our way so that this testing of our faith produces endurance. “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves.” (James 1:22). Our actions need to proclaim the glory of God as He is the One who lives in and through us. We must live as those who have won the victory in Christ and not as the ones who are defeated by the evil one.
In Matthew 7:21 Jesus challenges us through His encounter with the Pharisees. “Not everyone who says to me, Lord Lord will enter the kingdom of God but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.” The keyword being “does” the will of God. When we live a life without Jesus, we are dead and in the same way when we live a life of faith in Jesus without works we are dead.
Do you have the desire to know and live the Christian Life? Do you want to pursue a strong relationship with Jesus Christ? Do you want to grow and mature in Jesus Christ? Don’t wait, choose the Life of Christ today!! Let your Life be transformed and be used for the glory of God in this dark world.
By: Jeremy Thudian
