Religion versus faith

What do we mean when we say we are Christians? Are we just following the religion’s standard traditions, believing and going to church every Sunday? Or are we taking action, and demonstrating our faith?

We so often get caught up in the world and its daily temptations, that our faith can sometimes be put on the back burner. We still go to church when we can, and say that we’re Christians, but that’s it. The world becomes our number one focus, and our faith becomes routine, like we’re going through the motions.

But God asks for more than that.

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?Was not our father 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. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” –James 2:14-26

We are called to demonstrate our faith, not just have religion. Faith should be our number one priority, our number one focus.

If we aim to demonstrate faith, so much reward will come from our actions. Our faith in God will be stronger, we will get more out of life, and those we reach out to will be touched as well.

I challenge you to step up out of your routine, out of your comfort zone, and aim to be like the one who shows faith in the passage above.

How will you demonstrate your faith? What steps will you take, starting today? Let me know in the comments below!