“What Good is Dead Faith?”

James 2:18 KJV

[18] “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”

     A lost soul is empty inside with a dark void that this world cannot fill. Once an individual places his faith in the Lord Jesus, that emptiness is no longer there. It is forever gone from their life because faith produces a work on the inside. Immediately, the Holy Spirit moves in and begins to dwell in the new convert’s heart. Faith is nurtured by the Spirit and by the Word of God. It will be evident as he grows, and others will see his faith.

     Faith produces a desire to seek God, as well as a delight to serve God, and a devotion to share God with others. The spiritual growth on the inside will continue to grow more on the outside. That is God’s plan for every one of His children. He wants others to see our good works and glorify the Father.

     So, what good is faith that is dead if it produces nothing for the one who claims to possess it or for those whom they meet? Dear reader, we do not have the time to study the faith of those in the Bible, but I challenge you to do so. Examine the faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Think about the faith of Rahab, the harlot, Ruth, Esther, David, and Daniel of old. What about the faith of Elijah, and Elisha, and the three Hebrew children? Then go back and read about the faith of Abel, Enoch, and Noah, and then remember the faith of Stephen, Paul, and young Timothy. 

     Tell me the one thing that their faith has in common. Do you already see it? Do you know what it is? They all had faith in the same Person, and it produced works! It is faith that works! Faith in Christ is not dead but produces! What good is faith that is no good to anyone? How is your faith today? Is it alive or dead? If your faith is dead, I can assure you it has produced nothing. If it is alive, there will be evidence that you can see!