James 2:14-26 - Empty Words

Words are powerful! Anyone who is married or in a relationship understands the power of words. Too many times, I have lost this understanding and not been careful enough with my words. This quote rings true and speaks volumes. 

"Be careful with your words. Once they are said, they can be only forgiven, not forgotten." -Unknown

Words are powerful; all through the Bible, we read this and hear this truth. I especially love this Proverb. 

“Watch your words and hold your tongue; you’ll save yourself a lot of grief.” - ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭21:23‬ ‭MSG‬‬

But, what is also true is words can also be hollow and empty. As powerful as words can be, they have just as much ability to leave massive gaps, even Grand Canyon-sized divides between people. Think about your closest relationship; maybe your marriage. If the words that continuously come out of your mouth are, “I love you,” but your actions never show this...what kind of divide is being created. When I love you is over and over, followed up with never being home or choosing our desires or hobbies over anything, our spouse desires our words can start to ring empty. What about when our words say to our team this meeting is essential, but our actions are we are late over and over and over. Our words become empty, and the story and narrative starts to write with our actions, not our words. 

Today we are looking at James 2:14-26. These thoughts that James shares are so challenging, so direct they have caused great debate and controversy over the years. I learned today in my study that Martin Luther was so disturbed by this he wanted to throw the book of James out of the Bible. You see, words are powerful. Let’s see what all the fuss is about.

“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 ‭NIV‬‬

You can see how this passage can create some controversy, right? Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. That is pretty bold! James doesn’t stop, and he keeps on coming, like Mike Tyson in his prime.

“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. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” - ‭‭James‬ ‭2:18-19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

James, in this passage, takes the readers back to the Torah, and hits on the oneness of God, and that belief. Yes, he says that’s important, but he also reminds us that even the demons believe that, and they shudder that it. What actions are we as Christ-followers having? 

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” - ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭6:4-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The significant controversy over this section of James lands in the place of can our salvation come from faith alone? Those who have issues with James, and his thoughts here are hearing James say faith is not enough to be saved, and this would be a counter teaching to Jesus. However, theologians argue that that is not James message, James is not saying faith is not enough; James is saying that faith will reveal itself with works. That true faith is more than just a belief that true faith will manifest good works. I belief this to be true, and I can see it in my own life and back to my relationship with Robin, my wife. My true expression of love is more than just my words; my actions follow it. They are both essential and my love is expressed through how I live my life fully. This reminds me of Paul’s teaching in Ephesians;

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” - ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We are God’s handiwork, created for good works! If we have stepped into a relationship with Jesus, and if we are following Him and being transformed by His word, we will be different. We can not be the same as we once were, the shaping, sculpting, refining that God does in our lives will reveal itself in our actions and our works. 

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

This is a strong and harsh teaching from James, and I believe it should leave a mark. We should not read through this, or any part of James and not be punched and challenged. These words should push us to inspect our walk with Christ, to challenge our mindsets and our commitment levels with Jesus. James did not struggle with empty words, he lived it out and walked the walk. Remember, our words are powerful, once they are said it is quite possible they will never be forgotten. But at the same time, those words can wind up being empty if our actions are not following them. Faith without deeds is dead, take a moment and let that sink in as you think about the last week or so of your life and audit your actions. 

Lord forgive me for my inaction, and my deeds not always representing my faith. I pray today that we have the courage, the strength, and the stamina to align our actions with our words, our deeds with our faith. Lord, may we glorify you with our lives today. Amen