Daily Devotion for January 13, 2025

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read James 1:27; 2:14-16.

It was verses in James like today’s passage that kept this beautiful book of Scripture from getting into the New Testament canon for some time. Leading scholars at the time mistakenly interpreted this passage as saying that we must earn our salvation through doing good works. They pointed to Paul’s teaching as accepted Christian theology in that we are saved by grace through our faith and argued that James was disagreeing. In fact, James was not disagreeing in any way with Paul. But James was saying that if our faith is real, it changes us, and it moves us to action.

The grace that gives us salvation through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross was very costly to God. The brilliant German theologian Dietrich Bonhoffer wrote to warn us about treating grace as cheap instead of precious and free. He said “cheap grace is grace without discipleship…” In other words, when we accept the grace of salvation through our faith, we are not to be mere assenters and believers. Rather, we are to become more like Christ, learning, growing, and serving as his disciples. This is exactly what this passage in James is saying…our faith should make us want to do good things.

Personal Worship Option:

Almighty God, help me to put my faith into action more often. I believe in Christ, but I know James is saying I am called to serve others, treating them right. So be with me, helping me to see and seize the opportunities each day to be more like my Lord and Savior. Amen.