"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." – James 2:14-17

James writes here that faith without works is of no use whatsoever. In fact, faith without works is no faith at all. It is one thing to say you have faith, but it is another to work out your faith. How would you know? Is your faith confined to a weekly worship service? Is the only time you work out your faith in the sanctuary? Our faith is not a part of our life; it is our life. We live by faith; we love by faith; we make decisions by faith; and we serve by faith. Our service to other people is one way we can see the fruit of the faith we talk about. There are so many opportunities offered here at Hope for service: small group leader, usher, preschool servant, greeter, elementary children’s servant, worship arts member, parking lot attendant, youth servant, etc.

Are you serving others? If not, how do you know you are in the Faith? James’ exclamation that faith without works is dead stands as a measuring stick. If you say you have faith and yet there are no works, how do you know you actually are in the Faith?

Pray and ask God to forgive you if you are not serving others and then begin to serve; there are plenty of opportunities. If you are serving, thank Him for the opportunity to serve and the trust He has in you to represent Him.

Write down any thoughts or ideas that apply to your growth as a follower of Jesus.