In this verse, James emphasizes the fact that true faith in God must be associated with good works. He is not saying that salvation requires good works, but when good works are done out of genuine faith, God always gets the glory. 

According to James, if we truly believe what Jesus says, we will show it by living godly lives. To merely say we have faith is insufficient. Living in faith should pair adoration with action and service. This kind of faith makes a difference to us and others; how we live and what we do really does matter to God. Our faith and action must not retreat when faced with setbacks and opposition.

The movie Air in this week’s At The Movies series, contains a powerful example of faith in action. Sonny Vaccaro, a Nike consultant, didn’t give up or give in on the dream he had for Nike and Michael Jordan, a rookie basketball player yet to play professionally. Sonny pressed ahead, ignoring the naysayers and risking everything. He had faith in a dream of a greater outcome, and he acted on it. His faith and action spurred a vision that won over Jordan’s mother and resulted in a shoe design that would sell millions of sneakers around the world. This is an example of faith in action toward a secular goal.

God is not a heavenly butler, obligated to fulfill any idea we dream up. However, for followers of Jesus, the promises and dreams that God gives can be acted on in trust that God is faithful to His word. Challenges will come. What may seem impossible, God makes possible as we cooperate by obedient action. God is not limited by the size of the promise or our lack of ability to see at first how it will be achieved.

Querido Padre Celestial,

Help me remember that faith without obedient actions to back it up is destitute of power, inoperative and dead. Thank You for showing me that good works are the fruit of true faith, which is motivated by my love for You. May Your Word become planted deep into my heart, so that I may walk in Your power, and be a doer of Your Word. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

You can think of faith as trust that God will keep His word. More trust equals less fear in responding to God’s direction for your life. Are you willing to go back to school, ask for forgiveness, separate from those who tempt you to sin, make an investment, repay a debt, volunteer your time, start that business, get married, start a family? How does God want you to move toward the hope and future He has for you?