Real Faith

There are times when people misunderstand the relationship between faith and works, often pitting Paul and James against one another. But this is a false divide. Both apostles—and indeed all of Scripture—affirm that faith is central. Our relationship with God is not earned by works, but authentic faith inevitably results in transformation. It begins on the inside, and then reveals itself in our behavior, in our speech, and in the way we live our lives.

James emphasizes that if we claim to know God, there must be visible evidence. Not just outward performance, but genuine change that stems from the work of the Holy Spirit within us. Paul agrees. John agrees. The entire biblical narrative affirms that true relationship with God is transformational.

Many today cite Matthew 7:1—”Judge not, that you be not judged”—to suggest that no one has the right to call out sin or challenge behavior. But this modern interpretation can distort the heart of Jesus’ teaching. He also said not to cast pearls before swine, reminding us that discerning judgment is necessary. We are not to be harsh or condemning, but we must be wise and recognize when something is wrong, whether it be in our lives, our communities, or the world around us.

James 3:13-18 focuses on the difference between earthly and heavenly wisdom. Earthly wisdom often disguises itself as spiritual insight but is rooted in selfish ambition, arrogance, or even bitterness. It promotes division and discouragement. It may look attractive—like a car with a shiny paint job—but if it doesn’t run well, something deeper is wrong.

Genuine heavenly wisdom is different. It is humble, peaceable, gentle, full of mercy and good fruits. It is sincere. It is willing to listen. It is open to reason and guided by love. And this is crucial because in the body of Christ—even among Christians—there will be differences. Different backgrounds, personalities, preferences. And it is heavenly wisdom that allows us to navigate those differences in peace.

Our culture has often reduced Christianity to external rules or traditions. One culture might think that not drinking alcohol makes one holy. Another might have different standards. But holiness isn’t about cultural checklists. Holiness starts with the heart. It’s not polishing the windows when the door is jammed. We need to invite the Spirit to show us what actually needs fixing.

Last week, we spoke of unconditional surrender. Until we know Christ, we are at war with God. Coming to faith means waving the white flag—letting God have His way with no conditions attached. Yet often, we want grace on our own terms: “I’ll follow you, Lord, as long as you don’t send me to another country,” or, “I surrender, but please bless me with a perfect life.” But true surrender means laying down every demand and letting God transform every corner of our hearts.

James also addresses our zeal and ambition. At one time, these words simply meant passion or effort. But over time, they have been twisted to describe selfish motives. Instead of righteous zeal, many pursue influence, success, or control at any cost. This is not from God.

Heavenly wisdom invites us to live differently. It means persuading others with humility, not strife. It means listening to perspectives other than our own, recognizing we don’t know everything. Bitterness and arrogance might feel good in the moment—like a plate of poison-laced cookies might look delicious—but they destroy our spiritual health. The appeal is strong, but the consequence is deadly.

This wisdom from above is first pure. It is focused on God. It is peaceable—it brings reconciliation. It is gentle and merciful. It yields a harvest of righteousness, sown in peace by those who make peace.

If we have peace with God, it leads to peace within ourselves. And that inner peace flows into our relationships with others. Without it, discord is inevitable.

James illustrates this truth vividly: a boy, out of spite, sows weeds in a neighbor’s field. Years later, he falls in love with the neighbor’s daughter and marries her—only to inherit the field he ruined. The seeds we sow now will produce a harvest, for better or for worse. We must choose to sow peace and grace.

Likewise, if we try to manage God’s grace the way someone manages a milk cow—taking only what we think we need—we will find the supply dwindling. God invites us to receive all His grace, not selectively or occasionally, but fully and continually.

If our faith is real, it will affect how we treat people. And that is perhaps the clearest sign of all. If we want God to fix what’s broken, we must let Him work in us—not just to change what we do, but who we are.

James reminds us that a building with flaws doesn’t need a coat of paint; it needs structural repair. A car that won’t run doesn’t need a new headlight; it needs engine work. And our hearts, when out of alignment, need more than surface fixes. They need the wisdom from above.

So ask yourself: What kind of seeds are you sowing? Are you sowing grace in peace, or bitterness in selfishness? Are you inviting God’s wisdom into your decisions, your relationships, your heart?

If not, it might be time to let the Spirit do some renovations. Not just to tidy up the surface, but to make real change from the inside out.

And when we do, we will reap a harvest of righteousness and peace, not just for ourselves, but for all those who are close enough to witness God’s work in our lives.