SAY SO, SHOW ME

Do you have have faith? Maybe you do, but what kind of faith do you have? There are two kinds of faith, you know. There is “say so” faith and then there is “show me” faith.

James said: "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” (James 2:14-17).

Let us make one thing clear here. James is contrasting real faith against a profession of faith, which is not necesarily the real article. “Say so” faith is the most common type of the two. It merely says, “I believe, I have faith”. Generally, this person is trying to convince someone; you, me God or himself. God knows better and, usually, so do you and I. The only one he is able to fool, then, is himself.

Just having faith isn’t enough. Everyone has faith in something or someone, even if it is just himself. James goes on to point out that believing there is a God isn’t enough. The demons know that. They’ve seen heaven and the throne of God and yet, they’re demons. They were angels who disavowed any allegence to God to follow Satan and were cast out.

”Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the [demons] also believe, and tremble” .

At least the demons have the good grace to tremble in fear of the day of God’s judgment. Many people foolishly taunt God and dare Him to prove Himself. If that’s you, you’d better be ready for what comes. Many others who claim to believe in God fail to take Him seriously. No true child of God could be in that camp.

The one with “say so” faith says he believes but a look at his life says he probably doesn’t. The habits of the flesh are more in keeping with a life style of a child of the devil than a child of God. Though that isn’t always conclusive. A Christian, out of fellowship with God can look pretty devilish.

James says that the aabsence of any spiritual fruit, of evidence of a godly walk or concern for others is a pretty good indication that their profession is empty. His or her faith is ”dead, being alone,” that is, without observable proof. It isn’t real.

“Show me” faith not only says, “I have faith”, but shows observable proof that it is “the real McCoy.” This person says he or she loves Jesus Christ and their life bears them out.

He or she speaks to others about Christ’s faithfulness, His love, His death on the cross as our substitute for sin. This person cares, witnessed for his faith, encourages, gives to meet needs where ever possible. He or she isn’t as concerned about being seen by the right people as being seen as faithful to God.

This person can respond confidently, ”Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works” (James 2:18).

Works don’t equal faith! But faith, real faith, living faith always causes us to work for God because we love Him. Works don’t make one worthy of heaven, that is taken care of in trusting Jesus alone for salvation. Then, heaven is certain and our works are proof of our claim. What kind of faith do you have? What kind do you want to have? Are you absolutely positive of heaven? Or, is your faith an empty profession?


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