Daily Devotionals

“Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17).

Disobedient faith is false faith. It is by itself, unrelated to faith in God. There is, of course, such a thing as false faith, even in the name of Christ. The Bible declares in the gospel of John that many people who had superficial faith in Jesus did not have saving faith. Christ demands proper conduct of His followers in the faith. Jesus said to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed” (John 8:31). Obedience to His word is evidence of true faith, whereas continuous disobedience is evidence of false faith. False faith may be faith in good works, faith in ritual, faith in a religious experience or system in one’s own goodness that is so common currently.

Our reputation for good works must be well known throughout our communities and the world at large. The Christian life is meant to be walking in obedience, so let’s study the Bible and practise it. We must, therefore, not be hearers only but doers of the word as well. Our conduct must match our talk because Christ is not interested in lip service (Luke 6:46). Do what you say and practise what you have learned and heard. By their fruits we shall know them (Mat. 7:20). Those who walk in good works or in the truth have integrity: there is no contradiction between professing and living. Even though a person is saved through faith in Jesus Christ alone, apart from anything else, genuine faith always produces genuine good works.

• Thank you for reading our devotional on “Faith Without Works Is Dead”.