A Sure Sign of Life

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do." James 1:22-25

All throughout creation are signs of life that catch our attention and steal our gaze with their intricate beauty. A flower sprouting vibrant colors in spring, a deer running gracefully through the woods or a fish rising to the surface of a calm stretch of water to grab an insect; all of these remind us of a simple truth: where there is life, there is motion. Movement doesn't cause life but it's a sure sign that life is present. The same is true in a spiritual sense. Scripture tells us that when we believe and put our faith in the person and work of Jesus and commit all that we are to him, He gives us new spiritual life with Him. It's out of our relationship with God that love takes root and results in spiritual fruit. To be clear, spiritual motion, fruit or good deeds are not what justify us before God. Only faith in Christ does that! However, they are evidence of a changed heart and genuine spiritual life in Christ.

"You are saved by faith alone, but if faith is alone it is not faith" -Martin Luther