James 2: 17 Commentary

Aaron I think a big portion of Christians nowadays only talk and say they are believers,and they think this gives them a licence to commit adultery and other thinks our God dislikes. Of course our God is a forgiving God, but it’s not good to take it easy because of his goodness.

By Mark G (wrote 1 Bible Commentary - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 4/20/2011 08:05 am

How true!

Most Christians today say all you have to do is “believe”. But their belief is confined to their mind and not put into practice.

If the weatherman predicts rain for today and I don’t take my umbrella when I go to work…do I really believe him?

That’s a very simple example. I can say I “believe” the weatherman, but even a child can tell I really don’t…unless they see me carrying my umbrella with me.

In the same way, a Christian can say he “believes in” Jesus…but without the actions (works) to prove it, it is only talk…

And as James so bluntly puts it…”faith without works is dead…”

By Aaron (wrote 1 Bible Commentary - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 4/20/2011 04:33 am

Like uneaten food or unworn clothes, merely believing in something is useless. The belief must be accompanied by action.

A story to illustrate:

A man falls over a cliff and manages to grab a branch growing out of the cliff half way down. He cries for help. A passer-by hears him and shouts down to him.
“Do you believe in God”, he says.
“Yes”, cries the man desperately hanging on.
“Do you believe he can float you gently down to the bottom”, asks the pass-by.
“Yes”
“Then let go!”

By Graham (wrote 14 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 8/13/2010 21:46 pm