Faith + Works

"What's the use of saying you have faith if you dont prove it by your actions?" James 2:14

James has a point. If you apply that principal to other things it makes sense, right? For example...the example we used at club was Bobby....

Bobby is a 110lb freshman boy who wants to bench 200 lbs. Now if Bobby says he's going to go work out and thinks about working a lot but never goes and actually picks up a weight, will he get stronger? Absolutely not! Its absurd to think that if by talking and thinking about working out Bobby will get stronger.

So why do we a believer talk about our faith but not put any of it into action? James say that is not a saving faith.  That our faith should be proven or back up by the way we live!

Now...this does NOT mean that we are saved by our works or that we can earn our salvation. Not in the least bit.  Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:8-9 that we are saved by grace and that is not a result of our own works. James is challenging us in the passage to back up that faith with what we do and say!

So this week, take a look at your life.  Are you being a "doer of the word" or just a hearer? Or are you like Bobby, simply thinking about what you're supposed to do but failing to do it?

"Do as I did to you..."

Many times throughout the Gospels, Jesus gives us examples of how we are supposed to live.  The example given in John 13:1-15 is an incredible one.  In this passage, Jesus washes the disciples feet. Couple things we learned about this act...

1. Feet washing was a task performed by the lowest ranking servant in the household

2. This task was not a glamourous one by any means.  In this day and time roads were made of dirt and people walked everywhere...in sandals. This made for some pretty nappy feet.

3. It was custom for people to have their feet washed upon entering a household or before eating a meal.

So...for Jesus the Lord and Teacher of these men was definitely not the person the disciples expected to wash their feet.  In fact, Peter, tells Jesus no.  But Jesus was teaching them something.  He was giving them an example that they should do as He did. After washing their feet, Jesus gives them this command...

"Do you know what I have done for you? You call Me Teacher and Lord and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and Teacher, washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet. For I gave you an example that you should also do as I did for you." John 13:12-15

So Jesus gave us an example. A great example of how we are to serve others.  The question is are we? Later in this chapter, Jesus says "by this all men will know that you are My disciples if you love another." So the challenge is two fold...

1. Are we serving one another as Jesus served His disciples?

2. Do people know that we are followers of Jesus by the way we treat others?

Favorites?

This week at middle school club, we looked at James 2:8-13.  These verses are packed with some hard stuff that is super convicting.  James addresses the idea of favoritism.  In James 2:8 he says that if you're loving your neighbor as yourself, then great job! BUT if you show favoritism towards certain people then you are sinning.

So lets think about it...how do we show favoritism?
- towards family or friends over people we dont know
- towards people that are like us...the way we dress, where/how we live, believe what we believe, etc.
- towards popular or cool people

We talked about how a lot of times we write off certain sins like favoritism as "not a big deal." But we saw in James 2:10, "that whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles in ONE point, he has become guilty of ALL." So just one sin makes you guilty of breaking God's law.  It doesnt matter if its lying or murder, in the eyes of the Lord a sin is a sin.

SO...we are called to "speak and act as those who are judged by the law of liberty," (v12). So love your neighbor as yourself, show mercy to others and remember that we are indeed sinners saved by grace!

The Good Shepherd....

This week at club we looked at John 10:1-21. In this passage Jesus is teaching to a group of people and refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd and His followers are His sheep.  This example shows how Jesus cares for us and how we are to follow Him. Here are a couple main points...

- The sheep knew the voice of their shepherd and followed Him where He lead. In the same way, we should know the voice of our Lord and follow Him (v1-7)

-  Thieves may try to steal the sheep or hurt them.  The shepherd protects them. The "thief" in this passage is also a metaphor for Satan.  He desires to "steal, kill and destroy" those who believe in Christ. (v10)

- A good shepherd is willing to put his life in danger for his sheep.  In the same way, Christ tells us that He lays down His life for His sheep, His people. (v11-18)

There are the basics! But here are a couple more questions to chew on this week! We encourage you to go back and read through this passage and see what the Lord has to teach you!

1. We read in John 20:31 the purpose of the Gospel of John. In what ways does John reveal the divinity of Jesus in the text of John 10:1-21?

2. What are some of the characteristics that Jesus possesses as the Good Shepherd?

3. Why do you think the word of Jesus caused division amongst the crowd? Which side of the crowd would you be on?

Have a great week!