August 16, 2020, James 2:14-26 – Post 2 – ISSL Reflections

Here are three translations of this week’s passage –
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%202%3A14-26&version=NRSV,ESV,NASB

IV.
We are thinking about James’ claims about faith and works. Last week we heard him stress the importance of moving beyond hearing about “the word” and failing to put into action what is heard.

How does that relate to what we hear this week?

Notice how this reads in the Common English Bible translation –

My brothers and sisters, what good is it if people say they have faith but do nothing to show it? Claiming to have faith can’t save anyone, can it? (James 2:14)

“… say they have faith…”
“… Claiming to have faith can’t save anyone…”

Does that seem to you a good understanding of these words?

V.
How often have you seen things advertised on television and wonder if the item can really do all the spokesperson claims for it?

Or, maybe you have gone out to buy an appliance for your home. Did the salesperson “oversale” it a bit?

I suspect most of us are not surprised by such things.

But, when it comes to our faith, our commitment to Jesus, do we sometimes talk a better game than we play?

It’s easy to do.

Have you ever noticed yourself doing that?

VI.
James offers some examples of “faithful action”
What have you done this week that is a “faithful action” growing out of your faithful commitment to Jesus?

Give it some time and see what comes to mind?

Maybe I shouldn’t ask this next question but let’s try it on too. Does anything come to mind where you could have offered “faithful action” but didn’t? Do you know what held you back?

Charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}


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