Inspired by James 2:26

by W. Chaz Glass

 

James 2:26 tells us that “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.” This verse helps believers make a connection between God’s creation of Adam and our own creative works. God formed Adam from the dust of the earth and breathed life into him, making him a living soul. Similarly, we, too, engage in acts of creation through our imagination and creative faculties – what we envision and set out to accomplish. Like Adam, they are only a shell until life is breathed into them by faith. In this post, we will chart the spiritual dimension of our creative process, guided by God’s design, and how faith acts as the catalyst that brings our creations to life.

 

God’s act of creation in the first chapters of Genesis symbolizes God as the ultimate source of life. As human beings, we possess a unique gift – the ability to create through our thoughts and will. Our creative acts mirror the divine act of creation. Just as God had a plan and design when creating Adam, we, too, operate within a framework based on righteous or selfish ambition. Our creative works, whether in art, business, or any other field, must align with this same pattern of design. Recognizing this pattern deepens our sense of purpose when creating and our connection with God. In the process of individual creation, faith serves as the activating, life-giving force. Through faith, our creative endeavors transition from mere concepts to living realities. Faith bridges the gap between our imaginative power and the divine breath Adam received, thereby bringing our visions to life, manifesting the desires of our hearts.

 

Yet, there are instances where creation occurs without faith, resembling the creation of “Frankenstein’s monster.” These are works built solely on human ambition and ego, lacking the vital spark of faith, forgetting God as the power of all life, even in material works. A body of work without God’s breath is a Frankenstein-like zombie fueled by our will. Similar to the misguided scientist in Mary Shelley’s tale, these creations often result in chaos and unintended consequences. They are not directed by God. They lack the supernatural alignment and purpose that faith imparts. Some people have a Frankenstein-like life – a patchwork of misguided intentions, goals, and projects that never seem to come to life, half-dead because God was not sought, acknowledged or believed in. Faith is the defibrillator. Our life and works become purposeful when we seek this source of life in Him. Our works are activated by faith through love and obedience to God’s design.

 

Consider the intricate structure of the Tabernacle in the book of Exodus. It was build according to God’s explicit design, with God providing the highly specialized skills for its construction. Our creative works can be seen as modern-day Tabernacles, built with a divine blueprint and given life by faith. They can be books, organizations, ministries, even marriages. Faith breathes life into them, making them vessels of purpose and meaning for His glory. If we envision it, God provides the skills and wisdom to build it, but our faith in Him must be the cornerstone. Faith also serves as the lens through which we perceive and engage with the world. It enables us to see beyond the material and grasp the spiritual part of our works. This heightened awareness enriches our creative process, differentiating between lasting and temporary creations. We understand that only what we build upon the foundation of Christ, the Chief Cornerstone, will endure. All else is a type of Frankenstein. Our awareness of this fact guides us in distinguishing between works of gold, silver, and precious stones, versus wood, hay, and stubble.

 

Like the Father, Man has fashioned many things from the raw materials in the earth. In our personal journey of creation, faith acts as the breath that animates and holds these materials together, mirroring the moment when God breathed life into Adam. Dust became bone, organs, muscles, nerves, and skin, and likewise, God turns our efforts into exactly what they need to be to serve Him. We work within a spiritual strategy, guided by the Father’s design that can transcend our understanding. Only through faith can the impossible come to life. While we may not always comprehend what He is building through us, our faith serves as the bridge between our creative faculties and the breath of life flowing from God like electricity. It transforms our imaginative constructs into living, purposeful creations that contribute to the expansion of His Kingdom. Just as the Tabernacle became a sacred vessel, our works carry the fingerprints of our faith, showing what God can do through our unique gifts.

 

Let us remember that while faith is the vital element that brings life and purpose to our creations, there are also instances where creations without faith resemble Frankenstein’s monsters – haphazard, misguided, reckless, and lacking a spiritual connection and foundation. This highlights the importance of infusing our creative endeavors with faith, aligning them with the divine blueprint, and recognizing the life-giving power of faith in our creative works.

 

It’s either Faith or Frankenstein.