A reflection on James 2:18
As Christians, we’re called to a life of vibrant, redemptive action, fueled by the transformative love of Jesus Christ. God’s love for us is so immense that He left the splendor of heaven, took on human flesh, and shattered the chains of sin and death through His sacrificial death on the cross. This love wasn’t just a sentiment—it was a deliberate act, a gift to those who could never deserve or repay it.
God longs for His love to be the cornerstone of our thoughts, feelings, and actions, shaping how we live and interact with the world. As carriers of His redemptive message, we’re invited to reflect this love through compassion, service, and sharing the hope found only in relationship with Him.
Love, as an abstract idea, lacks power unless it’s expressed through action. The love of God comes alive when we help a stranger, show mercy to those who wrong us, serve without expecting reward, or share Christ’s hope through our words and deeds. Jesus didn’t merely speak of love; He embodied it. His love was evident in every lash He endured, every mocking word He absorbed, every nail driven into His body, and every labored breath He took while praying for those who crucified Him. As believers, we’re called to mirror this active, sacrificial love in our lives.
Bob Goff, in his book Love Does, captures this thought: “He says to ordinary people like me and you that instead of closing our eyes and bowing our heads, sometimes God wants us to keep our eyes open for people in need, do something about it, and bow our whole lives to Him instead.” This challenges us to move beyond passive faith. Our belief in Christ isn’t meant to be confined to private prayers or church discussions—it’s meant to spill over into tangible acts of love.
The Bible reinforces this in James 2:18: “Now someone may argue, ‘Some people have faith; others have good deeds.’ But I say, ‘How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.’” Faith without works is incomplete; our love for God must be demonstrated through what we do.
Consider the alternative: What if God had remained in heaven, unwilling to act on His love for us? What if Jesus had stayed on His throne, rightfully justified in leaving humanity to face the consequences of sin? The thought is sobering. God could have started over each time we turned to idols, yet He chose to act.
1 John 4:9-11 NLT declares: “God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love one another.” Jesus’ sacrifice wasn’t just a theological concept—it was love in action, a model for us to follow.
So, how do we live this out? Start by spending time with God, asking Him to show you opportunities to put your faith into action. Reflect on how His love has touched your life—perhaps through provision in a difficult season, peace amid chaos, or forgiveness when you felt unworthy. These personal encounters with God’s grace are the foundation for sharing His love with others.
Sometimes, we think faith-driven action requires grand gestures, like leading someone to Christ or giving up everything to serve. While those are powerful, love often shines in the small, intentional moments: a kind word to a struggling coworker, a meal for a neighbor, a phone call to someone feeling alone, or a hug that says, “You are seen and valued.”
You’ve undoubtedly seen God’s love in the quiet provision of strength during personal trials—like when faced with uncertainty and found peace through prayer. These moments compel us to act—to offer encouragement to a friend or volunteer time to a local ministry. You might consider these questions: Who in your life needs a tangible expression of God’s love? Is there a small act—a note, a conversation, a helping hand—that could reflect Christ’s hope?
These actions, no matter how simple, tether our faith to works, as James 2:18 urges, and bring God’s grace to a world in desperate need.
Today, let’s commit to living as believers whose faith and actions are intertwined. Ask God to reveal one or two specific ways you can demonstrate His love this week. Write them down, act on them, and watch how He uses you to bring redemption and hope.
Love doesn’t just speak—it does. And through our actions, we become vessels of the same love that moved Jesus to the cross for us.
Blessings on you and yours,
Jim Black
P.S. if you’d like to read previous ruminations of mine they can be found at https://www.salvationarmyconcordca.org/chronicle/?category=Bible%20Study