"Yeah, but faith without works is dead," we pointed out to him with a smile.
He didn't say anything in response to that, but we think our words rang a bell with him. Those words are taken from the Bible....
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. - James 2:26 (KJV)
You may think your pocket Kings are the best hand - especially if the highest card on the flop is a Jack, and nobody else is betting. To think that requires a bit of "faith," based on what you know about the rules of poker. But that faith could be misguided; what if another player has pocket Jacks, and is quietly holding quads?
If everyone "checks it down" to the river, you could be right and win the pot. But the only way to make sure your "faith" in a hand is valid is to make a bet.
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. - James 2:17
Your bet could make everyone fold. You could get called, which might be an act of faith by someone else. Or that opponent with quad Jacks could go far over-the-top, and push all his chips in. That's the time to reassess how much faith in your cards you really have.
That's an example from the table - but let's take it outside. We've heard radio preachers say everyone has faith in something. The question is where you put it. If it's merely in your ability to play poker, that could be misguided. But if you put faith in something (or Someone) bigger, that's far better....
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. - Hebrews 4:14
Hold on to that faith until the end, and God promises a wonderful future - including a "crown of righteousness" with eternal life when Jesus returns (II Timothy 4:7-8). If you have questions about that kind of faith, please leave a comment; we'll be happy to help you.
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