I love the book of James.It is in your face truth of the things we should be doing and the things we shouldn't be doing.It is a short book with lots of information compiled within its pages.We know as we work for the Lord there are little jewels He places in our crowns,that one day we will lay at His feet.I hope my gift to Him is completly full and running over with beauty. But as we live each day are we working towards our gift to Christ or for ourselves?At times I think we all work for something just for us,since the world teaches that we are so deserving of all,when as christians we have to remind ourselves we are worthy of nothing,for without Christ we would be nothing.Can we have faith without works,or works without faith?I dont think so,they go hand in hand with living a christian life.If we have faith we will be working for Christ giving all we have,if we have works,we are doing those works for Christ through faith. Are we making our own crown,so they we might be glorified by people,or are we working towards a crown to glorify Christ? Sometimes that can be a hard question.In todays world we are self-seekers,in God's world we should be Christ-seekers,and dying to our self needs,and working towards using the gifts He gave us for His glory. In James 2:18-26 says this,"But someone will say,"You have faith,and I have works. Show me your faith without works,and I will show you my faith by my works.You believe that there is one God.You do well.Even the demons believe-and tremble!But do you want to know,O foolish man,that faith without works is dead?Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?Do you see that faith was working together with his works,and by works faith was made perfect?And the scripture was fulfilled which says,Abraham believed God,and it was accounted to him for rightiousness.And he was called the friend of God.You see then that a man is justified by works,and not by faith only.Likewise,was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?For as the body without the spirit is dead,so faith without works is dead also." We can't have one without the other.They work together for Christ.So the question is do we think we have faith just by going to church and sitting in the pew,not doing any works for Christ?Or with our works,do we think that we are showing good faith? We must put them together,or we have nothing. So what kind of crown do we want to lay at the feet of Jesus,the one that is full to bring glory to Him,or just our crown to wear here on earth so others can see it?
