Faith or Action - or Balancing Both?

We have finished the sermon series on the book of James, looking forward to starting on Extravagant Generosity next week. (Read: Come and Join Us!) Since I had to miss a couple of weeks, in order to come up with something for this post I tried to do a little research and learned that James is a pretty controversial book. Some interpret his writings to be in direct opposition to Paul's doctrine of justification through faith alone. Others find that James actually reconciles the differences between Paul/faith and The Law/Acts. Bible .org has an outline and summary by Daniel Wallace that lists eight theses about the book of James:

1) James does not deny the necessity of faith, only its inadequacy.
2) James is addressing the fruit of salvation, while Paul is addressing the root of salvation.
3) In keeping with other biblical writers, James does not use "works" as a criterion for judging others, but as a criterion for judging oneself.
4) For James, the faith which does not save is intellectual assent; for Paul the faith which does save is a heart-response to God's call- it is trust in, not just belief that. Thus, they are not talking about the same thing.
5) For James, "justified" means either "vindicated" or "eschatologically justified"; for Paul, it means "declared righteous." Thus, they are not taking about the same thing,
6) For James, "works" means good deeds-charity, Christian love, etc.; for Paul, it means works of the Law which some see as necessary for salvation, rendering the cross-work of Christ as less than adequate. Thus, once again, they are not taking about the same thing.
7) James seems to look at how our spiritual status is seen and approved/disapproved by others, while Paul looks at how it is seen and initiated by God.
8) Both James and Paul would agree with the statement that genuine, saving faith results in works. Or that sola fide, properly understood, means that we are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is not alone.

I think I like those eight theses because they sum up the book in a way that says to me James is trying to lay down some guidelines that will help the new church find a way to live in community with each other and with non-believers. He is looking to reconcile the converted Jews who are holding on to the Law, and the gentile believers who clutch at justification by faith since they didn't have the law. It seems to me that an over-zealous embrace of Paul's doctrine would lead to self-centered faith, one that focuses inward and doesn't encourage believers to reach out to others, to walk the walk.

And walking the walk is such a blessing. When we live our faith, our actions are a reflection and a response to the gift God gives us. Each small daily act becomes an act of worship, and also has the potential to incarnate God for others. In helping others, we ourselves are helped and changed. It seems to me that James just wanted to be sure the pendulum didn't go too far in either direction - works or faith.

Sorry I haven't updated this for quite a while now. I was waiting to see what would happen with our Wednesday Bible Study (not starting up yet), the sermon series (I have missed two), and life. I have asked another contributor to get us some information on the sermon series - Faith and Action - but I invite you to go on Sunday morning and check it out for yourself!

Faith and Action. I have always thought talk was cheap, and we (I) need to act and live out our (my) beliefs. But have you ever noticed that is easier said than done? There are always so many "good" excuses. At least there are in my head. How about yours? Sometimes I listen to the small, quiet voice that tells me to talk to the person who looks so sad, to offer help to the woman in the parking lot, to offer a silent prayer for the harried mother who is losing her temper at the grocery store. But most of the time, I admit, I rush through life, not paying attention to anything or anyone that doesn't fit into my list for the day.

Faith and Action. When I hear those words I think of the huge, grandiose, news-grabbing projects. Habitat. Rebuilding. Joplin Mission Trips. While I really like to do those things, I have to balance it with my other commitments. And the voice inside mt head says if I can't do those wonderful works, then I can't act. I am not faithful. True?

FALSE! Some of you may think I am just trying to make myself feel better, and part of me is. But as I worked on this piece I tried to honestly consider my own experiences and what I know of the experiences of others. As I weighed them I came to firmly believe it is the small, daily, thoughtful acts that matter the most. When I focus on a thoughtful, kind, generous attitude it changes my whole day, my whole outlook, my whole life. Don't get me wrong, I am no saint and not able to sustain that attitude over extended periods of time. The euphoria and adrenaline that accompany those really big works last only a short while. Even when I reflect back on them, look at the pictures, talk with other participants, it isn't the same. But, by just trying to have an attitude of generosity I change my whole outlook.

Faith and Action. I can act, out my own personal faith every single day. I can do something for others. And I have found that it changes me more than those around me.