Time for a heart checkup!

Few things are as important as our heart which supplies blood to the rest of the body. The heart then becomes the center of what supplies life to the rest of the body. Such is the case spiritually as well! Is it no wonder that God seeks to have all of us (our spiritual heart)?

James, the half brother of Jesus, in writing to “those who have been scattered through the nations” addresses disciples who have heart issues in an attempt to restore them to spiritually healthy hearts! He writes in James chapter 2:14, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?”

James cites three types of works that a healthy heart should naturally produce.

The first type of works is meeting the basic needs of the family of God (James 2:16-17). James declares that “faith without works is dead!”

If we are able and know about a need in the family of God and turn away from that need then our faith isn't authentic faith at all. It is very easy in our current culture to become cynical and hard hearted toward people in need. James is using the word “dead” as in no life no dormant! Authentic faith produces compassion that moves us to action!

The second type of works James teaches is about sacrificial faith.

In James 2:21-24 he reminds the disciples of the story of Abraham and Isaac, specifically when Abraham was required to offer Isaac, his son, as a sacrifice to God.

He states that Abrahams sacrificial obedience justified him before God because “he believed God '' that even if he sacrificed Isaac God would raise him from the dead! Authentic faith produces sacrificial obedience!

The third type of works that James teaches is about risk. James reminds the disciples of the story of Rahab the prostitute who saved herself and her family by opening her home to the Jewish spies that crossed the Jordan to spy out the land.

She not only welcomed them but protected them at great risk to herself and her family! James reminds the disciples this type of works justified her before God! Authentic faith produces confidence to take risks! Faith without risk is not faith at all!

In the end what God is out for is all our heart! It is not works he is looking for as a healthy heart filled with authenticity. Faith produces compassion that moves us to action, moves us to make sacrificial obedience and moves us to take faith risks!

Join me in inviting the Lord to check our hearts today!