Connect360: Making Faith Real

• Lesson 5 in the Connect360 unit “The Making of Authentic Faith: Wisdom that Works” focuses on James 2:14-26

In this lesson, James described an opportunity for us to make faith become real. He told us a faith that does not concern itself with others and their needs is dead.

Faith can be defined as complete trust or confidence in something or someone. But most important for this lesson, we see it as a strong belief in God’s existence rather than proof. Faith is a living thing. It is something internal and expressed by one’s actions. Hebrews 11:1-32 reveals how “by faith” many believed, were saved and/or prospered.

We learned earlier in James 1:3 that the “testing of your faith produces perseverance.” In Romans 5:3-4, we are told suffering produces perseverance, character and hope. Your faith keeps you going for the duration, it builds character in you. That is why we must continue believing and walking in the faith that God’s Word is true. Sometimes the walk is not easy, but our reward is waiting on us.

Action required

James talked about how you must have something else along with faith—deeds (works). There is action required. James also discussed how your deeds do not work alone, you must have faith, too. The Holy Spirit uses the body, and then it is left up to us to put our bodies to work. Faith without works is dead.

Hebrews 11:7 says: “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.”

Noah’s simple act of faith was not just believing, but he put it in action by building the ark. He could have easily believed God and did nothing, but we are reminded God’s divine plan would have not been completely fulfilled without the action of Noah’s work. In turn, he saved our future, as well as himself.

Compiled by Stan Granberry, marketing coordinator for GC2 Press, formerly known as BaptistWay Press.

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