Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.

James states clearly in this chapter that faith without works is dead and useless. Here in this verse he shows that faith and actions work together to bring about a mature and complete faith. Our faith in God is always in process in the sense that faith is tested and is always growing. That is what God intended for every one of us. Living for God always involves action that is prompted and directed by the Holy Spirit and our faith in what we believe Jesus wants us to do.

There are so many actions that we can give ourselves to that can demonstrate and perfect our faith. How we love the people in our lives, and how we pray and offer our lives to God in the ministry of interceding in prayer for fellow believers and for the salvation of our unsaved friends are a couple of examples of how we can put our faith in action. Caring for the poor in our community and in other countries is another example of our faith. One very important example of faith in action is when our lives bring the visible presence of Jesus to any and every situation that we find ourselves in. People come to know God when they see the heart and presence of Jesus demonstrated in His people.

My actions of loving and caring for the people in my life are a very important part of my faith in God. He shows me how I can be a blessing to my neighbors and how I can reach out to people who still need to respond to Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

I am challenged by this verse to express my faith fully by being careful to listen to the Lord’s voice in how He wants me to serve the people in my life. On this lifelong journey of faith, every day there is the challenge to discern God’s will and how I can live out my faith in the course of daily responsibilities. My heart goes out to people who are hurting, who need pastoral counseling, and who need Jesus in their lives. I want so much to show the reality of Jesus love through my actions and thoughtful acts of service to the people God’s placed in my life. A life of prayer is so important in both hearing God and praying for the healing and salvation of many.

Thank you, Father God for giving me a great example like Abraham to challenge and grow my faith. Abraham was willing to sacrifice everything for the purpose of carrying out God’s will. Lord Jesus, help me to be willing to die to self and sacrifice for the purpose of carrying out the eternal purposes of God in my life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit today, so that I may bless and love the people in my life. I embrace this journey of faith that should always be expressed by a life of action and obedience to your will.