Going Faith

Our faith should be evident for others to see. Without a demonstration of our faith, as an active going faith, we are left “empty” (James 2.20). Faith without works is dead! James goes so far as to say— Faith without works is as useless as a body without life. (“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” 26). Some have misinterpreted this to mean, that you must do good works to be saved, or in order to keep your salvation. This is false. Paul clarified this in Ephesians 2.8-9 with— “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” 

The “works” in this passage are not about salvation, but that others can see our faith clearly. Faith is not invisible to the human eye. When we come across the word “works” in this passage we are talking about what others can see. It is a manifestation of what’s on the inside. In James 2.24 it says— “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified (before men), and not by faith only.” There needs to be some proof. Some sort of evidence that God is working. Why? Well, not just for our own security and feelings of assurance, but also for others to see the ‘hope’ in us. 

At this point, people usually make excuses like: ’my situation is different’. Why? Well it’s hard to see proof and facts that do not agree with our lifestyle. Who claims to be a believer, and wants to admit they haven’t seen proof in a while, on the outside? No one. James gives us 2 examples in this text (2.20-26) that couldn’t be more opposite people.

The first is: ‘The Patriarch’ Abraham. He’s kind of a famous character of the Bible, isn’t he? Abraham was a patriarch and the father of many nations. Particularly, 2 famous people groups: the Jews and the Arabs. 

Read what James said in verses 21-23— “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.” The key is in— “…Seest thou how faith wrought with his works…” You can see it. It is evident. His faith was not silent, because there is no such thing. The writer of Hebrews adds to this thought in 11.8-10— “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

Abraham did what he did, by faith. Notice though, that he DID it! Action! In every case of Hebrews 11, we see a case of what real faith is— it’s active! A still faith is not faith at all. It has to be: going; moving; following; acting; pursuing; listening; obeying. This is what Hebrews 11 says, James 2 says, and the rest of the scripture. This is the true Christian life. Abraham was an example of putting your action where your mouth is.  People say that they would do anything for God. In Abraham’s case, God asks for your own son… still interested in ‘doing anything for God’? Abraham was a man of faith, because his faith was a going faith.

Now to the extreme opposite, in our human perspective: ‘The Prostitute’ Rahab. I love the story of Rahab. She was just as used by God as Abraham. Our lame humanity sees her as drastically different that righteous Abraham. Well, guess what?!… she was just as righteous. James 2.25 says— “Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?” You remember the story don’t you? Joshua and the battle of Jericho? When he sent spies to Jericho, they were housed (hidden) by Rahab, a known harlot. This would have been the best house to hide in for a traveling stranger. This is Jason Bourne level stuff. Clandestine operatives, in a foreign hostile country, behind enemy walls. God is cool. 

Rahab promised to conceal them, if they in return, would save her. Notice in Hebrews 11.31— “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.” She believed in what God had said— that was Faith. She: heard the Word; believed the Word; acted upon the Word— that was her ‘work’. She proved her faith by her works! The distinguishable difference in the 2 examples: Abraham risked the life of his son; Rahab risked her own life.  

Let me turn your attention to Matthew 1.5— “And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;” Rahab was once a prostitute but married into the lineage of Jesus. Do you still think that God can’t use you? It’s only a matter of living your faith. Living what you say you believe. Make it a going faith.

I can’t help but point out one more nugget here. Look again with me at Hebrews 11.31— “By faith the harlot Rahab…received the spies with peace.” She receive them with “peace”, then her 30th great grandson was “The Prince of Peace”. How cool is that?!

I do not want to ever be one of those christians who talk about what they believe, but not live it. If God can use Rahab and Abraham… He can use me. And… I want Him to. How about you?

Where is your faith going?