The book of James has its critics. That’s because the book of James doesn’t talk very much – if at all – about grace.

The book of James in the New Testament is all about the practical application of faith, known for such admonitions as:

What good is it if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?

It’s a fair point. I could say that I love exercising at the gym but then never go to the gym. I can say as many times as I like that I love exercising at the gym but that doesn’t prove anything. It’s only if I actually exercise at the gym regularly that its worth paying any attention to my claims of being a gym junkie.

Same for the Christian.

A Christian can say they love God, but then never do anything to prove it. They can say that they believe God can do anything, but then never step out in faith. They can say they love the church but then never attend or do so semi-regularly and half-heartedly and show no consideration for the others who are there.

Basically, they can say whatever they like, but unless there’s action to back it up, it’s just words in the air or on a page.

Now of course, no one can do all these things all the time. No one is perfect yet.

But if there isn’t a serious and ongoing attempt to wholeheartedly live in a manner in line with the teachings of the Bible, then what is actually going on?

Fake Faith. That’s what.

There are a lot of scams out there these days, increasingly in the digital space and they are getting harder and harder to detect. These scammers are getting smarter and more aware of how to trip people up. You need to have your wits about you.

You also need to have your wits about you when dealing with those who claim to be of the faith but aren’t.

Fortunately The Bible isn’t naive about these things. It’s hardly like God is surprised by frauds. In some ways there’s even a level of comfort in the fact that God expects it.

We don’t have to be so blown away by it. Sadly, it’s normal.

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.

That’s not the book of James but rather 1 John. None of the New Testament is shocked by people being two-faced.

So what does this mean for us?

It means that if we claim to believe in God then our faith should be real. We will love the people around us. Real love that seeks to meet their needs, no matter what it costs.

We will put our egos aside for the sake of others.

That’s what real Christian community looks like – Active Faith and Real Love.

I pray that’s what you experience this Easter.

Yours scam busting,

Alison