Today's Verse: James 2:26

Sunday, February 26, 2012

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
— James 2:26
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

By this definition, I fear that many people claiming to be believers are spiritual corpses. For our faith to be genuine, James says it must express itself in good deeds. Jesus said something similar in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:21). Faith not only moves mountains but must also move believers to act in ways that honor God and bless others. Faith also becomes a true believer's way of demonstrating thankfulness to God for his amazing grace.

My Prayer...

Holy and Faithful Father, please forgive me for the times I've been lazy in my spiritual walk when my faith didn't prompt me to do good deeds. Help me see the many opportunities for service you give to me each day and empower me to act on those opportunities in ways that bless others and honor you. In Jesus' holy name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

3 Related Resources by Heartlight

Dead or Alive
Illustration of James 2:26
Inspirational illustration of James 2:26 -- As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
More Than Mere Words
Article by Rubel Shelly
How do we make our faith more than mere talk? Rubel Shelly reminds us that religion has to do something and not just talk about a lot of things -- it must walk the talk, practice what you preach, and put your life where your mouth is.
Just Do It!®
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, Read My harsh words to the Pharisees about their all-talk-legalism and not-much-help religion (Matthew 23:1-36). When you do, you will..."

Illustration

Illustration of James 2:26 — As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, February 26, 2012

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'He Will Send Help!' (Ps. 57:1-3)
"Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by. I cry out...."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Wisdom, Peace, and Righteousness'
"Dear Disciple, When James wrote about wisdom and peace, he used terms whose meanings were rooted in what you call the Old Testament — The Law,...."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Following the Spirit's Lead' (Ga. 5:25)
"Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Genesis 41:4
"Pharaoh's dream has too often been my waking experience. My days of sloth have ruinously destroyed all that I had achieved in times of zealous..."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

More Today's Verse