LISTEN
NASB:
For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
NIV:
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Observations:
James taught a lot about faith and works. He stressed that a believer’s faith is worthless if works don’t accompany it.
When a human body dies, it gives up its spirit. What’s left is nothing but a lifeless corpse.
When believers proclaim to have faith but do not have matching deeds affirming that faith, the faith is nothing but a spiritual version of a lifeless corpse.
Takeaways:
Have faith. According to James’ writing, deeds follow faith. But first, we must have faith.
Do not suppress the deeds of faith. With the filling of the Holy Spirit and with faith in Jesus Christ, deeds of faith will follow. We must be faithful to perform deeds in faith.
