Faith Without Works
Awhile back, I asked a coworker if he considered himself a Christian. (He had previously mentioned going to church). He replied that he did, so I plowed forward with a question I typically ask people who self-identify as Believers (of any faith).
Me: "What makes you a Christian? What does it mean for you to be a Christian?"
Him: "I think it's about what you believe. I believe in Jesus."
Me: "So, does being a Christian mean you have to live in any certain way?"
Him: "I think if you believe the right things, you're okay."
There would probably be some who would read this and think, "That guy's way off. Of course it's about belief, but it's called The Christian Life for a reason. You have to live it."
Of course you have to live it. James puts it quite bluntly:
It's a rhetorical question, and he's obviously tending toward "No, it cannot."
This flies in the face of many Christians I know, who talk about their relatives/friends who accepted Christ but now do not live as Christians. I hear the phrase, "They've got their Golden Ticket, but..."
I'm not sure I resonate with the Golden Ticket idea. Actually, I'm sure I don't. If what James says is true (and I believe it is), true faith (that is, saving faith) MUST result in works. I'm not saying that someone who doesn't have obvious works cannot be saved. What I'm questioning is whether someone who mouths the words of the Sinner's Prayer (BTW, find that prayer in the Bible for me, please) and then never lives as a Christian was ever really saved.
I struggle with showing my faith through works. I don't think I do enough with what I've been given. And I struggle with belief that I'm saved. I don't consider myself a Legalist. I know that it is God's grace and Christ's work are all that really matters. I believe that I believe that. But if I don't live it as I should, how do I know? Have I really been converted?
This is a trial in my life, and has been since I was a kid. Most days, it doesn't touch me, and I know that when it does, it's probably the Enemy trying to defeat me.
I love Christ. I know Christ loves me and gave himself for me. But I think I need to be more active living like I love him. Not to save my soul, but in response to him saving me.
