James 2:26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

This verse is the capstone on James’ reasoned argument from verse 14 on, and as such is extremely to the point. Martin Luther disliked James precisely for this passage, because he had seen his way through the religious system of the day to come back to the doctrine of salvation by faith, not works, and from that perspective, this seemed to contradict that extremely important truth. His motto, with which he got the whole Protestant Reformation going, was, “Faith Alone!” Understanding his circumstances makes it easier to forgive him for not grasping the truth of these words, even though his own faith was very active and did a very great deal. What James is talking about is people who proclaim their faith without living it out. Even Jesus had strong words for such people: “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46) It’s like the story of Blondin, the famous French tightrope walker of the late 19th Century who, after he had demonstrated that he could cross Niagara Falls pushing a wheel barrow, asked if the onlookers believed he could successfully take a person across in the wheel barrow. Everyone insisted they believed he could, but then he asked for a volunteer to ride in the wheel barrow, and everyone got very quiet. (Eventually he carried his manager across.) The whole point is that saving faith generates obedience to the Savior.

There was a time in my life when my faith was more words than action, but God very graciously allowed me to get a glimpse of my own heart, and I broke down in tears, saying, “My Lord and my God,” just as Thomas did. (John 20:28) As a pastor, this isn’t an easy area, because I know full well that people aren’t born into God’s family with instant maturity, and the younger they are the more messes they make. However, I must not let anyone think that all they have to do to get into God’s kingdom is say a few words and that’s all. (My grandfather called that attitude, “Into bliss and out of blister.”) Anyone with saving faith is going to seek to follow Christ. I’m not to go around deciding who’s saved and who isn’t, but I am to be discerning, especially when it comes to giving authority in the church. My goal is to be producing disciples, not pew warmers.

Father, thank You for the maturing work You have been doing in this church, as well as the weeding out of some who chose not to grow in faith and obedience. Such weeding is always painful for me, but no more so than for You, I know. Help me be both active and growing in my own faith, as well as effectively nurturing solid, active faith in the believers, so that together we may be what You want us to be, doing what You want us to do, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!