It Should Be Obvious

Thursday - February 4th

Devotionals from the Book of James

Scripture to Read Today: James 2:14-26

---

But someone will say, “You have faith;

I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds,

and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

James 2:18

The biggest sandcastle ever could be seen from outer space. In February 2019, artists in Dubai spent more than 2,400 hours creating the largest sand image ever constructed. At 170,890 square feet—the equivalent of over 12 Olympic-size swimming pools—the image carved out of natural sand was so massive that a satellite took a picture from space.

The Public Diplomacy Office of the United Arab Emirates in Dubai completed the artwork on February 17, 2019, as a gift to the country of Kuwait. Titled “Prince of Humanity,” the piece featured the image of Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait. The image of the Emir was apparent to any plane. Artists had been instructed to make the artwork obvious from above.

James, the first-century church pastor in Jerusalem, reminded us that our faith should be obvious to others. The good deeds that flow from our lives because of Christ should be clear. James says, “I will show you my faith by my deeds” (James 1:18). While God can look into our hearts and know whether we have been saved by the grace found in Jesus Christ, our friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors can’t. God intends the good works we do because of our salvation to show others we are saved by God’s grace.

When God saves a life, obvious evidence emerges over time. Maybe the proof of your salvation doesn’t stand out like a massive desert portrait, but your faith will have evidence. Others will see you live out your faith. The proof of your faith should be obvious to those around you.

Would anyone say how you live, the good works you practice, are obvious to them?

Good works do not save us. But good works become the obvious evidence we have been saved!