Anybody out there struggling, maybe with health problems, divorce/separation, death, addictions, or faith issues. Well James says,if you do not have faith, you will receive nothing from God. Without faith, the book of Hebrews tells us, it is impossible to please God. (Heb. 11:6) Faith, therefore, is the channel by which all God’s blessings come to us, and without faith, all that you do is sin; “whatsoever does not proceed from faith,” says the Apostle Paul, “is sin.” (Rom. 14:23)

So all activity that does not stem nor derive from faith is sinful activity. If you are not acting out of what you believe, then what you are doing is distasteful and disgusting to God, even though it may be highly applauded by everyone around.

As I cope with the reasons for a separation and end to my marriage, James is telling us several things about faith. In chapter one you have a wonderful answer to the question, “What makes faith grow?” Jesus said that it does not take very much faith to start—if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, just a little bit of it, just enough to get you to act, even though you are filled with doubts in the doing of it, that is enough—that will move mountains, he said.

Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him. (Jas. 1:12)

There are two things, James tells us, that make faith grow. The first is trials. This is a wonderful chapter for those who are facing trials.

Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness [or patience] have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (Jas. 1:2-4)

We just need to know how to take and accept trials, I think of Paul and the trials he went through he rejoiced—they counted themselves fortunate to be considered worthy to suffer for the name of the Lord. May we overcome all our trials by prayer, asking God for wisdom, and getting into his word, for faith comes by the hearing of his word.

Second, the instrument that makes us grow is the word:

Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For is any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who observes his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But he who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty and perseveres…(Jas. 1:22-35)

He reminds us that it is the word of God that makes our faith grow—expressed in our actions.

Tom W.