In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 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 2:17 & 18, NIV 2010
It’s not a contradiction. We are saved by grace through faith, justified in Christ. However, this does not mean that we will stay arms crossed, motionless, waiting that someone tells us what to do. Yes, there is a job, and how are we performing it? (I include myself in that last sentence.)
I love how James responds to what could be the most obvious response from a seemingly contradictory passage: “You have faith; I have deeds.” Claro, so easy to say that! What about helping a friend in need? Or washing the dishes, cleaning up the car, taking care of babies…? Or serving God with all your heart? Or your friend, your enemy, your pet?
It seems overwhelming. It’s easy to get bogged won in big things, that we forget the smaller things, which are nearly or even more important to obey and learn from. God will lead us along the way, taking away and giving us even more. It takes time to learn the balance (I’m a “work in construction” yet), but I know that when God ends, I will show my faith in the light of shining pearls.
And He never ceases to amaze me…Day after day, I’m discovering something new God is doing in my life…