As we head into summer, we’ll be using the next couple of months to reflect on and deepen our walk with the risen Christ, looking at how His resurrection should shape our daily lives. Here is the second devotion to reflect:

IN WORD Imagine a freshly baked apple pie coming out of the oven. Imagine the aroma filling the room and stimulating your senses. Imagine inhaling deeply and letting that wonderful smell create in you an acute anticipation of the enjoyment to come. Now after all that, can you comprehend such a delicacy coming out of the oven with no aroma at all? Of course you can’t. It doesn’t happen.
You can have the aroma without the pie—after all, there are some pretty close counterfeit smells in candles, air fresheners, and all sorts of products that simulate the real thing—but you can’t have the pie without the aroma. The substance can’t exist without some accompanying signs. So it is with faith and works.
Paul is clear in Romans and Galatians that we are justified by faith. But he never indicates that we can have faith without accompanying signs. If it’s the real pie, so to speak, there will be some evidence. There will be an aroma of works that results from genuine belief. A lot of Christians throughout history have thought that Paul and James contradict one another on this point, but those of us who are convinced that the whole Bible is inspired by God’s Spirit know that there are no true contradictions within it. However, there are different emphases, and while Paul emphasizes the faith that saves, James emphasizes the fallacy of the faith that does nothing. It’s ludicrous, he says in effect, to think that someone can believe God for who He really is and not act accordingly. He focuses on good works as evidence of the real thing.
IN DEED Don’t fall into the trap of a works-less faith. We do well to avoid the trap of the Pharisees—good works without faith in the Savior—but we make a mistake when we think God isn’t interested in good works. According to Ephesians 2:10, we were created for just such a purpose. God’s design for us isn’t strictly internal. Let your faith prompt you to outward action—today and every day. “It is faith alone that justifies, but the faith that justifies is not alone.” —John Calvin (in “God With Us” by Chris Tiegreen)

If you’d taken the time to read the epistle of James last week, it should be clear that without good works, God considers our faith dead (James 2:26). Throughout the Bible, and especially in the prophetic books, God repeatedly reminds us that He is not interested in works-less faith. Again, we are reminded that while works do not save us, they are nevertheless the signs that we have been saved – and the reason we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-10).
Last Sunday, Pastor Mac preached on Matthew 5:13-16, connecting influence with the faith (verses 1-12). Take time this week to read Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 – 7 to build on James’ challenge and evaluate whether your life reflects your confession of faith. Take to heart Matthew 6:33-34 that helps us understand the benefits of an integrated, holistic faith. Have a blessed week! - from Magnolia, Pastor Sam