Faith and Works: Living Out Genuine Belief

Devotional

Day 1: Genuine Faith Is Expressed Through Action

True faith is not just a matter of words or intellectual agreement; it is revealed and made alive through tangible acts of love, service, and obedience. When faith is separated from action, it becomes lifeless, like a snowblower without oil—no matter how much effort is exerted, nothing will come of it. The call is to align what we believe with how we live, so that our behaviors reflect the reality of our trust in God. This is not about earning God’s favor, but about demonstrating the authenticity of our faith by the way we care for others, serve the needy, and step out in obedience, even when it requires risk or sacrifice. [38:22]

James 2:14-17 (ESV)
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Reflection: What is one specific action you can take today to align your faith with your deeds—especially toward someone in need?

Day 2: Belief and Behavior Must Be Aligned

It is not enough to simply profess belief in God; our lives must be justified—aligned—so that our actions and beliefs run parallel, like the rails beneath a train. When our behaviors contradict our stated beliefs, we risk spiritual disaster and a kind of death in our walk with God. The challenge is to examine whether our daily choices, relationships, and habits truly reflect the faith we claim. This alignment is not about perfection, but about integrity and intentionality, striving to have our lives “justified” in both word and deed. [49:45]

James 2:24, 26 (ESV)
You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone... For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Reflection: In what area of your life do your actions most need to be brought into alignment with what you say you believe about God?

Day 3: Faith and Works Are Partners, Not Opponents

The tension between Paul’s teaching on justification by faith and James’ emphasis on works is not a contradiction, but a call to a holistic faith. We are saved by grace through faith, not by our own efforts, yet genuine faith naturally produces good works. Our works do not earn salvation, but they are the evidence of a living, active trust in God. Both Paul and James point us to the truth that faith and works are meant to go hand in hand, each supporting and validating the other, as we seek to follow Jesus. [41:11]

Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Reflection: How can you intentionally allow your gratitude for God’s grace to overflow into practical acts of service or kindness this week?

Day 4: The Example of Faith in Action

Throughout Scripture, figures like Abraham, Rahab, and Hezekiah demonstrate that real faith is always accompanied by courageous action. Abraham’s willingness to offer Isaac, Rahab’s protection of the spies, and Hezekiah’s hard work to save Jerusalem all show that faith is not passive. These stories remind us that trusting God often means stepping out, taking risks, and acting even when the outcome is uncertain. Their lives challenge us to consider whether we are willing to put “skin in the game” and act on what we say we believe. [56:16]

Hebrews 11:17-19, 31 (ESV)
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son... He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead... By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

Reflection: What is one area where God is calling you to take a step of faith, even if it feels risky or uncomfortable?

Day 5: Jesus Aligns Us with God’s Perfect Standard

Despite our best efforts, our beliefs and actions will always fall short of God’s perfect standard. The good news is that Jesus Christ, in his love and grace, justifies us—he brings us into alignment with God through his sacrifice on the cross. When we truly grasp this gospel, it transforms us from the inside out, filling us with gratitude and a desire to live differently. Our hope is not in our own ability to perfectly align faith and works, but in Jesus, who restores what is broken and gives new life to misaligned people like us. [07:40]

Romans 5:1-2 (ESV)
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Reflection: Where do you need to rest in the truth that Jesus has already justified you, and how might that assurance free you to live with greater joy and authenticity today?

Sermon Summary

This morning, we gathered to remember the living Christ and to reflect on the true meaning of generosity and faith. As the world turns its attention to commercial pursuits and “Early Black Friday” sales, we are called to a different kind of abundance—one rooted in gratitude and sacrificial giving. Our recent acts of service and generosity, from Serve Saturday to our ongoing food collection, are tangible expressions of God’s love at work through us. These acts are not transactional; we do not give to get a blessing, but in giving, we discover the blessedness of participating in God’s redemptive mission.

Scripture reminds us that generosity is not just a virtue but a way of aligning ourselves with God’s heart. Proverbs 22 tells us the generous will be blessed, and Jesus in Luke 6 assures us that as we give, God pours out blessings beyond measure. Yet, the call to generosity is not merely about material giving—it is about the alignment of our faith and our actions.

This brings us to a profound tension in the New Testament: Paul’s emphasis on justification by faith and James’ insistence that faith without works is dead. At first glance, these seem contradictory, but a closer look reveals a deeper harmony. Paul and James are not at odds; rather, they address different distortions of the gospel. Paul warns against the belief that we can earn God’s love through works, while James challenges the notion that faith can be genuine without resulting in action.

James, the brother of Jesus, uses vivid imagery to drive home his point: just as a snowblower without oil is useless, so too is faith without deeds. Our beliefs and behaviors must be justified—aligned—like the rails of a train or the images in an optometrist’s test. The stories of Abraham, Rahab, and Hezekiah illustrate that true faith always moves us to action, even when the outcome is uncertain.

Yet, even as we strive for this alignment, we recognize our persistent misalignment with God’s perfect standard. The good news is that Jesus Christ, through his death and resurrection, justifies us—he brings our lives into alignment with God’s holiness. When this truth takes root in us, it transforms every part of our being, infusing our actions with new life and purpose. Our hope is not in our ability to perfectly align faith and works, but in Christ who makes us right with God and empowers us to live out our faith in love.

Key Takeaways

1. Generosity reveals God’s heart in us True generosity is not a transaction but a participation in God’s mission. When we give sacrificially, we experience the joy of aligning our hearts with God’s compassion for the hungry, the hurting, and the marginalized. Our acts of service and giving are not just good deeds—they are evidence that God’s love is alive in us. [17:52]
2. Faith and action must be aligned Faith that does not move us to action is lifeless. James challenges us to examine whether our behaviors truly reflect what we claim to believe. The alignment of faith and works is not about earning salvation, but about demonstrating the authenticity of our trust in God. Our actions are the visible outworking of an invisible faith. [48:42]
3. The gospel is about Christ’s alignment, not ours No matter how hard we try, our beliefs and behaviors will always fall short of God’s perfect standard. The hope of the gospel is that Jesus justifies us—he brings us into right alignment with God through his sacrifice. This grace frees us from striving and empowers us to live transformed lives, marked by gratitude and love. [66:36]
4. Our actions reveal the true state of our faith It is easy to profess faith with our lips, but our daily choices and risks taken for God reveal what we truly believe. If we never step out in trust, forgive, or give generously, it exposes the shallowness of our faith. God invites us to examine where our actions are telling the real story about our beliefs and to seek transformation. [59:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[16:43] - Early Black Friday vs. Thanksgiving
[17:13] - The Call to Generosity
[17:52] - Blessings of Generosity
[18:28] - Serve Saturday and Food Collection
[19:32] - Thanksgiving Offering and Compassion Fund
[20:15] - Thanksgiving Eve Service Invitation
[20:49] - Jesus’ Teaching on Giving
[21:38] - Prayer of Thanksgiving
[34:15] - The Snowblower Story
[37:57] - Faith Without Action is Dead
[41:11] - Paul on Faith and Works
[43:21] - Who Was James?
[45:14] - James 2: Faith and Works
[48:42] - Aligning Belief and Behavior
[54:17] - Hezekiah: Faith and Hard Work
[56:16] - Abraham and Rahab’s Living Faith
[59:23] - Actions Reveal True Faith
[63:53] - Paul and James: Not Opposed
[66:36] - Christ Justifies Us
[68:51] - Prayer and Blessing
[75:33] - Dismissal and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Proverbs 22:9 (ESV) — > Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.

Luke 6:38 (ESV) — > Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.

James 2:14-26 (ESV) — > What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. ... For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Observation Questions

According to Proverbs 22:9, what is the connection between generosity and blessing? How does this compare to the world’s view of giving? ([17:52])
In Luke 6:38, what does Jesus promise will happen when we give? What kind of “measure” does he talk about? ([20:49])
In James 2:14-26, what examples does James use to show the relationship between faith and works? ([45:14])
The sermon compared faith without works to a snowblower without oil. What does this illustration help us understand about the nature of faith? ([37:57])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that generosity is not a transaction but a participation in God’s mission. What does it mean to give without expecting something in return? How does this reflect God’s heart? ([17:52])
James and Paul seem to say different things about faith and works. How does the sermon explain the harmony between their teachings? ([42:44])
Why does James say that faith without works is dead? What does this reveal about the kind of faith God desires from us? ([48:42])
The sermon mentions that our actions “justify” or reveal the true state of our faith. How can someone’s daily choices show what they really believe about God? ([59:23])

Application Questions

The world is focused on “getting more for less,” especially around Black Friday. In what ways are you tempted to focus on getting rather than giving? How can you practice a different kind of abundance this week? ([16:43])
Think about a recent opportunity you had to be generous or serve someone in need. Did you take it? If not, what held you back? If you did, how did it affect your heart? ([19:32])
The sermon says our actions reveal the true state of our faith. Is there an area of your life where your actions don’t match what you say you believe? What is one step you could take to bring your faith and actions into better alignment? ([59:23])
James uses the example of Abraham and Rahab, who acted on their faith even when the outcome was uncertain. Is there a situation in your life right now where God is calling you to trust him and take a risk? What would it look like to step out in faith? ([56:16])
The sermon reminds us that we will never perfectly align our faith and works, but Jesus justifies us and brings us into alignment with God. How does this truth free you from striving and empower you to live differently? ([01:06:36])
When you think about generosity, do you see it more as a duty, a transaction, or a joyful participation in God’s mission? How might your perspective need to change? ([17:52])
The pastor challenged us to examine where our actions are telling the real story about our beliefs. What is one area where you want to see transformation? How can the group support you in this? ([01:08:51])

Sermon Clips

You know, church, I could have pulled that starter a million times, and it would not have fired up, because snowblowers without oil are dead. Church, you know what the Bible says? It says that faith without action is dead, too. There's no movement. The pulse has flatlined. Faith without deeds is dead. Does that surprise you? I don't blame you if you're a little bit surprised, because there's a lot of verses in the Bible that sound different. You know, this can happen sometimes, and you're reading along in Scripture. You're minding your own business, and things all of a sudden kind of pop off the page and strike you as weird. [00:37:50] (56 seconds) #FaithInAction

This is when Bible reading can be such a joy, because a theme is repeated and reinforced and reiterated. We are saved by grace through faith. Nobody can do enough good deeds to earn salvation. Works can't do it. It's all faith, and you lock in that idea. Thank you, God. Salvation through faith alone. And then, dum-dum-dum, just a couple of days later, you find yourself in the book of James. And James chapter 2 says, You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. [00:41:23] (53 seconds) #GraceAndWorks

And for a long time, Christians have puzzled over this apparent contradiction. It sure seems like Paul and James are not on the same page about salvation. So how do we make sense of James 2 in light of the rest of Scripture? And how do we apply it to our lives? And one of the main ideas in our apologetically prepared vision is that we are okay being a church that wrestles with these kinds of questions. So collectively today, let's get into the ring and let's do that. Because I really believe that if we understand what Scripture is saying, it can make an extraordinary difference to your walk as a disciple of Jesus Christ. [00:42:44] (48 seconds) #FaithWithoutWorksIsDead

Isn't it obvious that God talk without God act is outrageous nonsense? I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, Sounds good. You take care of the faith department and I'll handle the works department not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works works and faith fit together hand in glove. Do I hear you professing to believe in the one and only God but then observe you complacently sitting back as if you had done something wonderful? Well, that's just great. Demons do that. But what good does it do them? [00:46:02] (47 seconds) #JustifyYourFaith

Use your heads. Do you suppose for a minute that you can cut faith and works in two and not end up with a corpse on your hands? Wasn't our ancestor Abraham made right with God by works when he paced his son Isaac on the sacrificial altar? Isn't it obvious that faith and works are yoked partners? That faith expresses itself in works? That the works are works of faith? The full meaning of believe in the scripture sentence Abraham believed God and was set right with God includes his action. It's that mesh of believing and acting that got Abraham named God's friend. [00:46:49] (47 seconds) #FaithInMotion

The very moment you separate body and spirit you end up with a corpse. Separate faith and works and you get the same thing. A corpse. You get a corpse. Separate the snowblower from the right fuel and it's a hundred pound paperweight. Separate faith and works and you may as well put a toe tag on your Christian life because faith without works is dead. Here's James' point. It matters that you behave like you believe. Christianity is not merely an intellectual exercise. It cannot just be about words and concepts and in the book James goes on a five chapter heater. [00:48:00] (62 seconds) #FaithThatWorks

Can I say that again if you sing certain words certain lyrics about God's greatness and providence if you praise certain themes about his power if you nod and agree that God is Lord but you never take any risks your faith's dead think what you want to think your behaviors will tell on you see that's the other meaning behind the word justify it can also mean to demonstrate your actions are always going to be revealing your faith because it's not just that our works ought to align with our beliefs it's that they almost always do they indicate whether our faith is genuine or not. [00:58:54] (73 seconds) #FaithAndWorksMatter

James says I've heard the talk that all you need is faith and I actually agree with that I agree with Paul but how can you really have faith for eternal life if you don't have faith for the next month can that kind of faith really save you for some of us it's just time to get real about this time to get serious about aligning what we say we believe about God with the way in which we live our lives day to day time for us to put some skin in the game if we never risk anything in trust of God we do not have the same kind of faith we think we do. [01:00:07] (49 seconds) #FaithAndWorksTogether

Martin Luther once said that lots of people in church are like clumsy riders when it comes to our beliefs and our actions we're like the guy who gets on the donkey from the left side and falls off the right and then we get up on the right side and fall off the left sometimes we think we can earn our way into heaven with the right amount of good behavior and Paul says that's wrong and sometimes we think we could just say the magic words and think good thoughts and James says that's wrong but these aren't two different problems they're the same problem they represent the idea that there is a formula to winning God's love. [01:03:20] (42 seconds) #FaithAndWorksInLife

And that's why the Bible will keep pointing us to Jesus and to pray in confidence to bless those who curse us and to give away what we have so we can be like him even though we'll never get to that standard and that means that faith in ourselves what we can do will always be pretty much as dead as my little red snow blower but here's the happy truth in love Jesus Christ will justify us with the standard of the heavenly father he will bring us into alignment with the expectations of a perfect God because at the cross at Calvary he stood in between heaven and earth and brought them together. [01:06:10] (63 seconds)

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