PAST COLUMN #4

From the West Meadow
By Pastor Wesley Higgins

Just recently, someone asked me a question that seems to be on many Christian's lips: "What are works and how do I know if I have faith?" Really two questions, but one answer answers them both. The answer is really simple, and it is found in how you live your life.

We've been conditioned to view the term "works" with a jaundiced eye because works can't save us. This is true, but James tells us that "faith without works is dead" (James 2:20); in fact, James calls anyone who believes otherwise "foolish". Our faith is important and our works are important, and they go hand in hand. James demands, "Show me your faith without your works, [if you can!] and I show you my faith by my works" (James 2:18).

The writer of the book of Hebrews supports James' assertion. "He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). We show faith when we believe in God and our Savior Jesus Christ, and live our lives according to that belief, or put another way, our faith is revealed by our works. Hebrews 11 shows the faith of the saints revealed by their works: "by faith Abel offered...", "by faith Noah...prepared an ark...", "by faith Abraham obeyed...and he went out...". By faith Sarah bore a child; by faith, Moses forsook Egypt; "by faith the harlot Rahab...received the spies with peace..." (Heb. 11, various). In each case, the faith of the saint was shown by his or her works or actions.

Now, it is not simply good enough to say "I believe in God, therefore I have faith". James scoffs at that thought: "you believe there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe...and tremble" (James 2:19). We must do more than simply believe; we must live our lives according to our belief!

Jesus left us with a fresher understanding of God’s commandments: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another" (John 13:34). Christ here not only tells us to love but He tells us how to love: "as I have loved you": sacrificial acts of kindness toward one another. This following through of faith and works is so important that in the doing of it or the lack of doing it we reveal our Christianity. "By this all will know you, that you are My disciples" (John 13:35)

Jesus' beloved disciple John put it very bluntly when he says, "If someone says 'I love God' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" (1 John 4:20)

Faith and works go hand in hand. Works are the natural healthy result of our belief in a loving God.

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