“But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith by my works.” James 2:18
A tale of two friends.
On a visit with my long-time friend, Phil, he casually mentioned he was a woodworker. Pleasantly surprised I asked him more about this hobby. I had never heard him talk about his projects or anything related to woodworking before. He proudly told me about a TV show on woodworking he watched virtually every Saturday. We then went out to see his “woodworking shop” in his garage. Once again, I was pleasantly surprised. He had all the tools needed for woodworking: drill press, lathe, chop saw, table saw, planer, table sander, and many powered hand tools. I did notice all his tools were clean and neatly displayed as if they were at a local DIY store. Curious, I asked to see some of his completed projects. Phil admitted he had not done anything yet, but he had collected lots of plans he hoped to complete soon. I did note there was no wood anywhere in his shop. Now I understood…
Walter, my other friend, was a big game hunter. Sitting in his living room one could see the evidence of his many adventures displayed. There was a big black bear skin rug laying in the middle of the room. All four walls were adorned with a variety of fowl, deer, wild goats and other small creatures. I saw several award-winning plaques. Walter had the “Big Four” award!
Walter had accomplished what few big game hunters ever hoped for. Hunting the wilderness of Canada, he had collected the heads of four distinct mountain goats. He proudly told me stories of his travels and experiences. Walter’s eyes danced with excitement as he shared the joy of completing the Big Four collection. I had heard him, and others talk about his hunting escapades but never been to see his prize trophies. Now I understood his joy…
Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith by my works.
Does religiously watching a weekly show make one a woodworker?
Or should there be woodworking evidence like saw dust covered tools and completed projects?
What does an active faith look like?
Blessed by you…Bro. Sherman
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