Faith Works: Lessons From James (Landon)

True faith is more than just a personal conviction; it is a commitment to obey to God. Drawing from the biblical principle that "faith without works is dead," this blog explores what it means to live out a "faith in action". By looking at the life of David—from his courageous battle with Goliath to his respectful restraint toward King Saul—we can see how trusting in God transforms fear into victory and jealousy into grace. Living a faithful life involves moving beyond mere belief and learning to engage in acts of service and support for those around us.

Reflections on Faith & Works

James teaches us that faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." James challenges his readers "Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works." So basically, he says he's going to show his faith by doing something that proves he believes in God and that he wants to please God. It takes real action.

Someone who says they have faith, but is not following through with action, that's false religion. Because he's not showing it. He's just hiding behind what he's heard and does not plan to do anything about it. Basically this person is putting a fake mask on just to please people. Faith or trust in action means showing people that you want to help others. Share what you have. Take people to church. If you can't do what needs to be done, take them to people who can help them. Also, you could like tell them about your past experiences and how God helped you. Acting on our faith in God is really important because it shows God that you love Him and want to go to Heaven.

Reflections on King David

David, always prayed to God. He was a man after God's own heart. He did what God told him to do. Specifically, the story of David and Goliath shows a lot of faith in action. It shows like that David really trusted God to be with him. Would you do the same?

He was facing real trouble because Goliath was like towering over David in height, had big muscles, and appears to be way stronger. David just faced him without a second thought! He trusted God and knew that God would deliver him into victory. David knew that he would be okay. So he went up to him... he slung the stone... and it sank deep into his skull. He won by cutting off his head, and showed that Goliath may have been a monumental challenge for him, but God was bigger!

I Samuel 24:10 -11 says, "Look, this day your eyes have seen the Lord delivered you into my hand in the cave, and someone urged me to kill you, but my eye spared you." And I said, "I will not stretch out my hand against my Lord, for he is the Lord's anointed." "Moreover, my father, see, yes, see the corner of your robe is in my hand. For in that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor rebellion in my hand." "And I have not sinned against you, yet you hunt down my life to take it."

David faced trouble with Saul. King Saul really wanted to kill David because he was jealous, which is also a sin. He overcame Saul by showing him that he didn't want to kill him. He believed that king was still God's anointed. He felt that he couldn't disobey God's or harm God's anointed because he was specifically chosen by God to serve as the first king of Israel. David serves God and worships God, so he didn't want to displease God.

David teaches us that great faith shows great works. When he killed Goliath, it was a huge feat! It was like really important to him to please God. Why? Because great faith shows great works. David also shows us to never fear anyone as long as God is with us. Just like Goliath, King Saul was trying to kill him. Fear did not overtake him. Why? Because great faith shows great works. I might add that these stories are really terrifying to me because I don't want to get killed. David did not die because he put his faith into action.

David did what God told him to and it worked out. Goliath was slain. Saul received a firm warning. And, faith was seen in action! If you believe in God, and you trust in him, you should be willing to do anything to please Him. Because He is the one true God. He is the only God. And He is everything that we need. Also, if we spend time talking to Him, and showing Him that we trust in Him, we have nothing to fear.

Reflections on King David

James 2:14-18 says, "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

Like David, we need to do more than believe God can do anything. We need to know that God will be with us no matter what. We don't know if he was truly scared or not. What we di know is that God showed him that there was nothing to be afraid. He would always stay by David's side.

What do I take from this? Faith in action means that we are not fearful of men in this world. We only fear God. And, we serve God! We need to look for stuff to do for other people, not just ourselves. Help someone. If they're in need of food, at least try to give them food. If they're in need of shelter, get them a tent or something. If someone's struggling in their faith, show them your actions of what you do with your faith. That would be a good challenge for everyone.