James 2: 23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. 24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.25 Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. 26 Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.

What do a preacher and a prostitute have in common? I know it sounds like the start of a bad joke doesn’t it? The answer from James 2 is faith. James says that righteousness with God is proven by faith that is accompanied by works. Rehab, the prostitute was considered in the same category as Abraham because of the faith she exemplified. Think about it; Rahab, the one who lived a life far from being a saint, was used as an example with Abraham, who is considered the father of faith. Rahab’s belief in God, put into action, transformed her life and her story forever. James used the transformation of two lives as basis for his practice in his own life and ministry.

James teaches that transforming faith is not about knowledge that is internalized, but rather truth that is applied. James says when truth is not put into action, we actually deny the faith we say we espouse. “Can such faith save a person?” is the question James asked in James 2:14.

We all go through seasons of life where it seems the transformation that we know God wants to do slows down or seemingly stops. It is in those moments that you must evaluate has your faith gone from action to theory. Have you gone from being a practitioner of faith to a Theorist? The answer is simple, break out of your comfort and put your faith into action once more. That feat may seem overwhelming, but it starts with a simple step of faith.

Today’s Challenge: Realize that your comfort and your routine often work in opposition to faith. Transformation stagnates when action is removed from our faith. Pray that God will show you the best way to apply your faith today to see His transformation take place. His plan for your life is to good to stay the same.