"The Proof Is In the Tasting"

Scripture: James 2:14-26

I’m sure that you have heard the old saying “The proof of the pudding is in the tasting.” The point, of course, is that you can create the most beautiful pudding that has ever been seen, but the real test is not what it looks like, but how it sits on your palette! The same is true in faith.
Why has the Church, for all of its 2,000 years of existence, experienced so much turmoil that false faith - faith without “flavor” - has always been able to linger in the corners of our lives?
Consider the evidence inherent on Resurrection Sunday – many of the disciples were huddled together in the Upper Room, refusing to go outside for fear that they might be recognized and arrested. Even when Mary came to them with the announcement that Jesus was alive, no one believed her, and even John and Peter had to rush to the tomb to see for themselves. And even then, most remained skeptical until the Lord actually appeared to them inside the locked room. (John 20)
Consider Cleopas and his friend as they attempted to flee Jerusalem that day, heading for parts unknown. They were met on the road by a Stranger who began to unfold the scriptures for them as proof positive that Jesus was, indeed, the long awaited Messiah! They continued to be confused by it all until the “Stranger” broke the bread at the evening meal, and only then were their eyes opened to the truth of Christ. (Luke 24:13-35)

Humanity has always had a difficult time in believing in something that they have never experienced, until the moment comes when absolute proof is laid out in front of them. Even the state of Missouri is known as “The Show Me State”! At least they’re honest about it!

And people still struggle with believing the most basic precepts of Christian Faith, because they aren’t convinced that it’s true. They don’t want to just hear about our faith – they want to experience its “flavor”! They want proof positive!

Read James 2:14-17

It’s that age old conflict between faith and good works, but in truth, there should never be a conflict! James writes that it isn’t a matter of “either – or” – it’s a matter of “and”! Even during the Reformation, Martin Luther and John Calvin had a major disagreement over the difference between Paul’s teachings on faith, and James’ call for works. Luther’s contention was that James (and Calvin) were “driving us back to the law”.
But James makes an important point of clarification in these verses. In verse 16, he writes that to simply wish, or pray, that a person be warm and well fed won’t make it so unless someone actually does something about their cold bodies and empty bellies! To quote my friend Gordon Brownlow, we are to be “intentionally living [this] life, for eternal living with Jesus”!
He really got me thinking about what “intentional living” might be about, and I think that it is exactly what James is telling us. To intentionally live as Jesus lived is to live out his call to the Church. His “intention” in living life among us was to show us how intentional God was when he breathed life into humanity at creation. The very Life of God was breathed at that moment, and his life has been carried in humans throughout the ages, passing it along from one generation to the next. And if we are to be authentic in our faith, we are to live in his way, and not ours.

The nature of Christian faith, if we live as Jesus lived, can never be passive. Jesus lived an active faith – touching, challenging, healing, teaching, loving, redeeming – and always in a Godly way. Last Sunday afternoon, several of us from the Gibson Corners congregation joined the folks at Elderwood Nursing Home for worship. I was talking about Jesus’ call in Matthew 25:34-46 to feed the hungry, to give a drink to the thirsty, and so on. One dear woman, who has practically no strength and is confined to a wheel chair, asked me “But what if we can’t feed the hungry or care for the sick?” I reminded her that she has a marvelous faith that she is always ready and eager to share with others, and that her radiant smile is a gift that we all need to receive. We can nurture and encourage and “feed” each other in many different ways, and we use the abilities that we have, and not worry that ours might not be as “good” as someone else’s!

Faith must be active in God’s way. Otherwise, James tells us, it is no faith at all.

Read James 2:18-19

While our “good works” can never stand alone, they will always be the proof of our faith – first faith, then the proof. Francis of Assisi is credited as saying “Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.” Not only do we serve God through our actions, we also share the message of Christ through those same efforts. Unfortunately, our actions can also share the lies of Satan, can’t they? And that’s where faith comes in – belief and trust in the Word of God, becomes vitally important if we are to remain faithful in the things we do and say. And it is only by faith in Christ that our “deeds” can bring glory to God.

We also have to be aware that the works that James is advocating for are not the ones that the law requires. These are the works of faith. And for those who still believe that the teachings of James stand in direct conflict with those of Paul, in Galatians 5:6, the Apostle writes concerning circumcision, that it has absolutely no value when it comes to faith. He writes “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Our works are the loving expression of faith, and in that there is great value.

Read James 2:20-26

The question is asked “So you want proof of the intimate connection between faith and Godly works?” James offers the proof of faith through works by reminding us of two people who acted, not out of self-satisfaction, but out of faith. Abraham would gain nothing by the sacrifice of his son Isaac, except to be obedient to God in this inexplicable command (Genesis 22:1-18). Rahab, a sinful woman of Jericho, (Joshua 2; 6:22-25) – verses 8-13) who by faith and trust in Jehovah God, a God who she had only heard about, would not only be saved with her entire family, but would become an ancestor of Jesus (Matthew 1:1-17 – verse 5).

This is an interesting combination of examples, as Abraham is known as being righteous in the sight of God (Genesis 15:4-6), while Rahab was not only a citizen of a foreign enemy, she was also a sinner of her own making. The point of James’ thought is this: regardless of who you are and what you have done, trust and faithfulness in the Lord God Almighty, and following his will for our lives, is all that is asked of us. We don’t have to accomplish the great things of this life – we simply have to be faithful to his call, and the Lord will do all the rest.

So what is your story? How has the Lord used you to demonstrate your faith to the world? Now understand that I’m not asking how your life stacks up against Abraham and Rahab’s! I’m not suggesting that anyone is to compare their life in faith to that of anyone else! This is not about meeting some arbitrary standard, such as those we encounter in our secular lives. It is about our response to the relationship that is offered to each of us by faith through the grace of Christ Jesus.
So the issue isn’t how well we compare to the life that anyone else has led – the question is how well we have answered the call that the Lord has placed on our life. And no one can provide the answer for you. It’s all between you and the Lord.