James 2:18-24

"Good works are not necessary to earn salvation, but they are necessary for evidence as to the existence of faith in the heart of a man; for where they are to be found, there one may conclude that true faith lives in the heart, and so the works indirectly justify a person."  -Kretzmann

Our readings in James over the last couple of days have left me without words. I've been thinking alot about the correlation between the two - faith and good works - and although I learned from a very young age that what I do cannot save me, I still get tied up in the complexity of it all. Reading the above quote this morning helped my understanding immensely. I feel that Kretzmann did a great job of summing it up the way he did.

But I still ask questions. Questions like, "if faith and deeds go hand in hand, how many deeds are enough?" If that makes sense...I mean - we'll never each live perfectly for all 24 hours of our 7 days each week. So how many and what kind of deeds show real, living faith in a person? Or do the "amount" of good deeds flowing out of faith simply identify the strength of such a faith? Because I'm reminded of the parable of the seed. Am I the rocky soil that can't hold onto the seed and give it root so that I easily fall when temptation strikes? Am I the thorny ground that chokes out the seed by worrying and becoming easily distracted from the God-things that really matter to the pleasures of the world that never let me mature?
Or am I the good soil, with a honest heart that holds fast to the seed and is able to bear fruit with perseverence?

I am seeking mightily who and where I am in Christ some days. I tend to be a perfectionist, so it's hard sometimes to think who I am is ever enough; yet I want to bathe in His grace and remember that God knows I'm only dust. He understands my weaknesses and wonderings who am I? and where do I need to grow?

That is why Jesus died, isn't it? Because he knew we could not be enough on our own. Even with a faith as small as a mustard seed that sometimes moves mountains, he knew we'd need more than that.
His sufficiency is my grace today.

Praying that my ramblings and mumblings did not serve to discourage you, my dear friends. Thank you for hearing me and being here!

Growing with you,
Love,
~Cait

P.S. I also wanted to include this video. The first half of it really summarizes our readings this week. I find hearing other Christians speaking the truth in love so encouraging and inspiring!