Dead Faith

James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Do you consider work a bad thing?  Isn’t it something we all do to “earn a living”?  If you were recruited and trained by a CEO wouldn’t you be expected to do something to earn your reward?

Why then, is work such a bad word in relationship to our faith?  Can you imagine telling your boss that you don’t have to produce anything because you have been hired “by grace”?  Grace got you hired alright, but you have to work if you want to be paid.

Spiritual welfare, living off of the efforts of others.   That is how most Christians live out their faith.  Church is the one place you can be a member and never have to do anything.  It is sort of like a Greyhound bus.  Get your ticket to Heaven, and “leave the driving to us.”

“It is by grace Coach that you get to Heaven.  It is a free gift.  You don’t have to earn your salvation.  Jesus purchased you at the cross.” They tell me. 

Ok.  So, why did Jesus purchase me?  If it is all about getting to Heaven, why did He leave me here?  Why doesn’t He take me now and set me on His trophy case?

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" Ephesians 2:8-10.  Created for good works?  Hmmm.

James 2:17-18  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. .

What does faith look like?  It must be possible for us to see it, or Paul would not have asked us to “show” him our faith.  We all have faith (Romans 12:3), but is yours dead or alive?

I’m not talking about salvation.  That is a free gift, one you cannot earn.  No my friends, we’re talking about faith.  Salvation is not faith.  It is the fruit of faith.  Confessing with your mouth, believing in your heart brings salvation.  Actions are the evidence of faith.

Works are an outward expression of what you believe.  We will be saved by grace, but judged by our works.  You do have works, you know?  The question is, will your works endure?

If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved yet so as through fire”

 1 Cor. 3:11-15.  Receive a reward?  Hmmmm.  I thought it was by grace?

I smell smoke.

And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged, each one according to his works”  Rev. 20:12-13.  Judged by works?  You gotta be kidding?

I was wondering the other day what Heaven will be like.  Will my dog be there?  Will I actually see my Dad?  Will Peter really be standing at the gates?  Are there Gates?

Will there really be a crowd of witnesses there? (Hebrews 12:1)  If so, witnesses to what?  Witnesses testify.  What will the witnesses testify about?  Could it be works?

I love to get together with some of my friends and tell stories.  Each guy brings his own  story, his own perspective on what he witnessed.  Reminiscing is fun and it solidifies a group’s special bond.

Imagine you’re in Heaven sitting around a campfire (probably where the works are being burned) and you notice a familiar face reflecting the light of the dancing flames.

“Hey!  Aren’t you Moses?” you ask the majestic looking man, as he nods his head.  “Man, tell me your story.  What was it like to see God part the Red Sea?  Weren’t you scared of the chariots?  What about all of the people grumbling in the desert?  How did you put up it? And the frogs...and locusts… What did the death angel sound like as it passed over?  Wow, Moses.  I got to hear your story.”

“And You.  Aren’t you David?  What was it like to kill Goliath?  Where did you learn to use a slingshot?  How did it feel to cut off that dude’s head?  Did you really kill a lion and a bear with your bare hands? 

Samson?  Oh my goodness!   What was it like to pull those pillars down?  Was Delilah really that beautiful?  How could you let her trick you like that? 

Daniel…Oh Daniel.  Man you had guts.  What made you open the window and defy the authorities?  How did it feel to walk down the runway to the lions den?  Were you scared?  Did you really sleep like a baby?  Tell me at least that you kept one eye open!

We will hear the stories of God’s heroes.  Saints known, admired, and made famous by their works.

For centuries we will sit around and listen to the tales, the stories of the great men of faith, testified to by the crowd of witnesses that are present.  Your heart will leap out of your chest as the stories of courage, conviction, and self-sacrifice are re-lived.

And then all eyes will turn to you.  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, will be there. Stephen, the nameless Saints of Hebrews 11, and those martyred for their stand for Christ will all look your way.

So, tell us your story.  What did you do when you were on earth?  If we remember right you were there at one of the most cataclysmic times in history.  Mothers were killing their unborn children, homosexuals were demanding to be married, they were teaching God’s children lies in school, and they were even attempting to remove the mention of the name of God from the nation?  What did your faith cost you?  What works did you perform for Christ?

Me?   You’ll embarrassingly respond, as the eyes of the martyrs burn in on you.  Well, let me see.  I gave to missions, paid my tithe, served as an usher, and gave to the building fund.  You see, when I was on earth, we were all waiting to be rescued by the rapture, and we weren’t much interested in fighting.  We were taught that the end was near and that there wasn’t anything we could do about it.  Plus, we had a government that didn’t allow us to mix religion with work (that will surely cause Daniel to perk-up).  Much of our time was spent reading books about living a better life, our pastor suggested them, and we were learning to be more accepting and diverse.  Besides, we had so much more to lose than you all did…we had houses, and cars, and IRA’s, and vacations, and our reputations….and our children….

Allow me to be frank.  Someday they are going to dig a hole, put you in a box, and cover you with dirt.  Your big house, nice cars, reputation and worldly riches will be left behind.  All that will endure is what you did for Christ.

Hebrews 11 is the Faith Hall of Fame.  It is a litany of men and women remembered not for what the said or believed, but for what they did. 

Isn’t it interesting that in our churches today we are encouraged to “share our faith”. Paul said to “SHOW” it.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Want to glorify God?  Show me your works.

 John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

It’s getting darker and darker.  It’s time to get to work.

By Coach Dave Daubenmire Email: coach@ptsalt.com Click here for bio and archived articles