A Line in the Sand

A Series on the book of James
Faith and Deeds
(Click on the link below to read the verses.)
James 2:14-26 

[James is one of my favorite books of the Bible. In some ways, it’s similar to Old Testament wisdom literature like Proverbs. It includes many practical applications to help a believer grow in their faith. In this series, we will look at the wisdom of James’ letter and how it applies to our lives.]

  

When you move to a new state where you know very few people, you want to fit in and be accepted. That was the case 40 years ago when we moved from Lansing, Michigan, where Michigan State is located, to Columbus, Ohio, where Ohio State is located. You can probably guess where this is going.

 

Early on, we decided to draw a line in the sand as far as trying to fit in and be accepted. That line meant staying loyal to Michigan State in the rabid environment of Ohio State. Even after 40 years, we still bleed green and white.

 

No doubt, the Jewish Christians to whom James wrote his letter, experienced this same desire to be accepted by their new neighbors. They’d already been scattered throughout the Mediterranean world due to persecution for their faith. But now they would experience a new type of adversity.

 

During the first century, the primary religion in the Roman Empire governed virtually every aspect of life. In fact, according to Ray Vander Laan, a noted expert on the history and culture of Israel, the state religion was so invasive that economic and social pressures could be quite severe.

 

It was to the degree that if you didn’t comply with the religious rituals, you could lose your income, become a social outcast, or be denied your voice in the community. You could even lose something as basic as access to fire, which was controlled by the religious and civil leaders.

 

The combination of these circumstances brought tremendous pressure on the Jewish Christians. With it, came a very real temptation to intellectually say that you believed in Jesus, but practically speaking, follow the local religious practices. However, James would have none of this.

 

¹⁹ You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. ²⁰ How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?     NLT

 

On the first day of kindergarten in Columbus, our daughter came home and announced that she had learned the Ohio State fight song. Not in our house! We drew a line in the sand.

 

James also drew a line in the sand.

 

¹⁸ Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” NLT

 

We need to draw a line in the sand of life. Whether it’s for our faith to match our deeds; or our belief to match our behavior; or what we say to match what we do. Faith without action is useless. Faith and action work together. Our faith is made complete by our actions.

 

Copyright 2026 Joseph B Williams

Feel free to share this blog with others.

www.lifelinebasketball.blogspot.com