Faith without works

"They were reflecting a common misunderstanding propagated by many churches: belief is the evidence of grace." — Mark Labberton, "Called."

Over the past few weeks, as a class, our Sunday school has looked at the core beliefs of a number of different religions. It has been a great time of learning and discovering, full of a lot of interesting information. But the biggest take away, for me, has been the fact that each religion — though different in beliefs and practices — has a component of works-based salvation.

That's what makes Christianity unique — the concept of grace. It's our free gift from God, and something we can't earn. All that is required for salvation is faith. That makes Christianity special. But it's also a concept that's been abused.

As a church, we're looking at Mark Labberton's book "Called." One of the points he makes in the book is that Christians have become so focused on the idea of faith that they've divorced their living faith from actions. That, too, is a dangerous decision.

Perhaps the most misunderstood passage in the Bible comes from the book of James. "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:14-17

Some have — incorrectly — deemed that verse to be suggesting that part of our salvation is based on our good works. But that's not what James is saying. Just after that passage, James said, " But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds." James 2:18 James is saying his faith is demonstrated by the way he lives his life — his faith in Jesus Christ has made a difference in the way he lives, as it should with all of us.

I think there is sometimes a tendency in our modern world to practice Christianity in a "Godfather" way. By that I mean we do what we want to do during the week, offer prayer and confession, then assume it's all square. Then we repeat the cycle.

But as Labberton points out, that's an incorrect interpretation of Scripture and what it means to have faith. It should be a turning in our lives. It doesn't mean we're perfect. It doesn't mean our actions can earn our salvation. But it means that our words and deeds are a reflection of a change in our hearts.

In other words, Christians should act like they really believe. It's a novel concept, but one that's important to remember.