-James 2:26

Faith is an important thing. Without it we cannot even receive salvation (Ephesians 2:8).  But as James says in the second chapter of his epistle, if it is without works, it is dead. We read in many different passages of Scripture that we are to live by faith (Heb. 10:38, Rom. 1:17, Hab. 2:4, etc.); one might ask the question of how we are to live by faith if that faith is dead! Just as a car is useless without an engine to make it go, without works our faith is worthless and futile.

                                 -James 2:14

The church has always talked about salvation by faith, and the Scripture Itself speaks of justification by faith - not works - in Galatians 3:8. But we must remember that if our faith is devoid of a resulting action, it is of no value whatsoever. We can have faith that Jesus is Lord, but we must put that faith into action by repenting of our sins and surrendering to Him. We may have faith that one day Christ will part the eastern skies and rapture His church to heaven, but unless that belief is accompanied by preparation for that day, what good is it? We might believe that there are millions of souls going to hell each day, but what are we doing to stop it?

So today, I do not challenge you to ask yourself if your faith is alive and well, for the Scripture says, "All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes..." (Proverbs 16:2).  Rather, ask the Lord God this question.  Ask Him if your faith is alive as it should be, or if it is dead. Maybe your faith isn't dead; maybe it's sick, or even just a bit lazy. Whatever the case, God can supply the remedy.