Beyond the Weekend

July 16 | Authentic Faith

July 16, 2018

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.  James 2:17

Read: James 2:14-26

Listen: James 2

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Writing to persecuted and scattered believers around Jerusalem, James was growing concerned their faith wasn’t authentic. He tells them, “faith without action is dead.”

James certainly didn’t mean that you can earn love and approval from God with good actions. We are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). James was saying the evidence of authentic faith in Christ is living differently. Faith without action is basically dead.

Almost two thousand years later, we should also ask ourselves the tough questions about our faith. Is our faith the kind of faith that fits in a neat little box of our lives? Or does it affect everything and change us to the core? How do we know that we have authentic faith? This week we will compare our faith to four characteristics of authentic faith—it responds, submits, trusts and risks.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Download this lock screen to help you prepare your heart and mind this week to consider the authenticity of your faith. Let it be a reminder this week that a faith that changes nothing is not authentic. When you see the lock screen, pray this simple prayer, “God, help me have authentic faith.”


Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.

You Might Also Like