Representing Missouri, Willard Vandiver served in the United States House of Representatives from 1897 to 1903. In 1899, Vandiver declared, "I come from a state that raises corn and cotton and cockleburs and Democrats, and frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got to show me" (emboldened added).
Found on the license plates of Missouri vehicles, show me came to be the caption by which Missouri is known.
The Apostle James said similarly concerning faith in his little epistle sent to the scattered, persecuted church in mid-First Century A.D: "Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works." (2:18). While the Apostle Paul focused on the essence of salvation--"by grace through faith" (Ephesians 2:8) --James focused on the evidence of salvation--"a faith without works is dead" (2:17, 20, 26).
With that in mind, let's look at Four Factors about Faith James reveals:
- The Visibility Factor
James puts the challenge out with no uncertain terms: "show me your faith" (2:18). Were you in a poker game with James, he'd say "Show em to me. What do you have?" This is really a way of saying for us to not be discrete about of what we're made. Note that God is not in the habit of saying to the believer: "Show Me what you're made of". To the contrary, however, that is the never-ending line from people around us: "Show us what you're made of." The simple truth here is real faith can be seen; it is visible. Mark records Jesus seeing faith (cp. Mark 2:1-12).
- The Viability Factor
Real faith is not only visible, real faith is always viable. Real faith lives! Three times James speaks of a living faith (2:17, 20, 26). And there is one outstanding characteristic of a living faith: A living faith is a loving faith (1:27; 2:8; 15-16; cp. also, John 13:35).
- The Vindication Factor
Real faith can be seen; real faith is alive; and note now real faith can always be vindicated. That is, proof exists that faith exists. Abraham's faith was vindicated in his offering of Issac as was Rahab's in hiding the spies (2:21-24; 25). What proof may others examine that you belong to Christ? Real faith is vindicated by the actual record.
- The Victory Factor
James assures us "I will show you my faith by my works" (2:18c). John is confident that faith is our victory to overcome (1John 5:4). Faith--real faith--cannot fail. Our victory is sealed through faith in Him.
With that, I am...
Peter
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