Who Are We Kidding?

So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. [James 2.17]

Could it be said any more clearly?

Who are we kidding?

What are good deeds? A good deed is anything that benefits another. It might further be said that a good deed, more often than not, is done without reward.

Who is our best example of what good deeds look like? Jesus. And, here is what Jesus said about it:

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]

Can it be that simple? Yes, it is that simple. Jesus Himself even testified to the simplicity of it:

For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” [Matthew 11.30]

Why then do we have such a hard time bringing the Kingdom of God to people?

Jesus taught us to pray in a manner that would constantly remind us of our responsibility:

May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. [Matthew 6.10]

The wording of this prayer is unique. Instead of Jesus telling us to ask, He words it as if we are to 'permit' God's will on earth as it is in heaven through our actions. I will go so far as to suggest that Jesus is providing understanding that we are participants in God's will on earth as it is in heaven. What is God's will in heaven? Good. So, what should our participation in that on earth look like? Good (like Jesus said in John 14.12)!

In the opening passage above, James merely confirms that unless our faith produces good deeds (works), it really isn't even faith because it is dead. Carrying that further, if our lives, therefore, do not look like Jesus' life, then who are we kidding? We are certainly not kidding God - we are kidding ourselves about the faith we claim to have!

The Church (so-called "Christians") today looks like a lot of things, but may I suggest that unless the Church replicates the life and works of Jesus in the earth today, it is dead and useless? Furthermore, any attempt to convince the world otherwise is pure hypocrisy.

Father, forgive us who call ourselves by the name of Your Son, but do not look or act anything like Your Son. Forgive us for our hypocrisy. Forgive us for lying to the world and each other saying we are "Christians" when we are not "Christ-like."