Faith Without Works

“What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,’ and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, ‘You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.’” James 2:14-18

Rahab hid the two Israelite spies under stalks of flax that covered the roof of her home in Jericho. Soon after, messengers from the king of Jericho came to see her, demanding that she tell them where the men were. Her life was in danger if they found out the truth - hiding spies was a crime.

However, Rahab did not tell. The messengers left, and Rahab told the Israelite men why she had protected them. “I know that the Lord has given you the land....For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you....for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath” (Joshua 2:9-11).

Rahab believed in the One true God, and God saved her, even including her in the family line of David and of Jesus (Josh. 2:9-11). Rahab put into living practice the faith that was in her heart, and God used her as an instrument of victory to bring His chosen people into the Promised Land.

When you trusted Jesus as your Savior, Jesus came to live within you. You placed your faith in the Living Word who gives you wisdom and guidance for all things. But just knowing His truth does not put that truth to work in your life. You must apply what He shows you and take a step of obedience.

“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers...” James 1:22