Mosaic (Oct 24)
- Amber Thiessen
- Oct 24
- 7 min read
We’re sitting at the kitchen island for an after-school snack, and my kids regale me with tales of their day.
The epic plays during phys ed.
The funny thing their teacher said.
What they love—and don’t love—about their new seating arrangement.
More commentary on the big moments from their intramural volleyball game. (I’m pretty sure he’s destined for sports broadcasting.)
As I slice veggies and prep supper, I listen and laugh. When they’re finished, I say, “Hey guys, before you go out to play, please put away your laundry.”
Some time later, as I set the table and the rest of the family arrives home, it hits me—they haven’t done what I asked.
A sigh of disappointment.
It’s not that they didn’t hear me. Or that they didn’t believe I’d asked. The heart of it is—they didn’t want to, got distracted, and chose other things over obedience.
Parenting is quite the adventure—discipling kids toward obedience.
“You see that faith was active along with his works and faith was completed by his works” (Jam.2:22)
Parenting has a way of holding up a mirror.
I can spot my children’s disobedience in an instant, yet I often miss my own—those quiet moments when I hear God’s Word, agree with it, and then move on unchanged.
James calls me back to a living faith—not one content to listen, but one that responds from a heart transformed by grace.
Not by Knowledge Alone
“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?” (Jam.2:14)
James paints a picture of a brother or sister in desperate need—hungry, shivering, empty-handed—while another believer merely nods and offers a kind word before walking away (2:1-15-16).It echoes the parable of the Good Samaritan: religious leaders crossing to the other side, unwilling to be touched by the man’s suffering. He asks, “What good is that?”
What good is our belief in Christ if it doesn’t impact those around us?
Those who follow Christ cannot see need and turn away.
Knowledge alone can leave us feeling confident in our beliefs but detached from compassion. We can affirm the right doctrines, say the right words, and yet live lives untouched by the truth we profess. Faith that never moves from the head to the heart—or from the heart to the hands—remains lifeless.
Faith goes beyond head knowledge and empty words. It’s more than hearing the truth—it’s living it, letting it move our hands and hearts. It’s truth believed, embodied, and expressed. This is the contrast James draws: genuine faith that bears fruit versus a faith that’s dead—no life, no root, no real existence.
It’s as if James anticipates an argument, and so he reminds his readers: even the demons believe. So don’t be deceived—mere head knowledge cannot save.
Not by Works Alone
“But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” (Jam. 2:18)
But just as faith without works is dead, works without faith are empty. One without the other can’t stand.
But that’s not what he means.
James has already made it clear that it’s by God’s grace we’re brought into salvation. So he’s not talking about positional righteousness-how we stand before God, but rather our practical righteousness-how we live before God. This isn’t about how we are justified, but rather the evidence that we are.
We can fill our days with good things—serving, giving, helping—and still miss the heart of it all. When our doing becomes detached from our abiding, our work becomes motion without meaning. It looks fruitful on the surface but leaves us restless and dry within.
True fruit flows from union with Christ, not from effort alone. The work that pleases God is not what we perform to prove ourselves, but what He produces in us as we remain in Him.
James isn’t calling us to try harder—he’s calling us to stay closer. Our faith comes alive not by knowledge or effort, but by the living Christ who works in and through us.
In Christ Alone
We are saved by grace through faith—and even that faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8–9).
It is God who justifies us through Christ’s perfect sacrifice, and it is God who sustains us in a life of faith. The life we now live in relationship with Him bears fruit—a harvest of love for God and love for others. These are the good works He has prepared in advance for us to walk in (Ephesians 2:10).
Love God. Love your neighbor.
This is the obedience of the Christian life—not duty pressed by guilt, but devotion shaped by grace.
Even when we don’t want to.
When it takes longer than we hoped.
When we’ve already poured ourselves out and feel there’s nothing left to give.
And yet, this is where grace meets us again—not demanding more, but supplying what we lack.
Christ alone gives both faith and fruit—a living faith that acts in love because it’s rooted in grace.
So, around a stir-fry supper we talked about what it means to have faith in Christ and how God seeks to captures our heart and captive our minds for the beauty of His name and for the good of those around us.
Where might God be inviting you to move from belief into action—to let your faith bear fruit in love this week?
On the Blog
Discipleship isn’t another thing to add to your list—it’s the overflow of walking with Jesus. As we abide in Him, His Word spills over into our everyday relationships, shaping hearts right where we already are.
I started a new thing, a new column—Abiding Notes. It's a simple collection of reflections and moments from the week—snapshots of life and faith in the middle of full days, set up like a 5 things essay. My hope is that these small notes encourage you to pause, look to Christ, and keep abiding in Him with grace and hope. I'd love for you to check it out and let me know what you think!! 😊
On My Shelf
I started reading On the Nature of Disappearing a novel about friendship and addiction, betrayal and rebuilding. I'd enjoyed her other book These Silent Woods, so I had this one on hold from my library.
I always find it interesting when my bible study topics align with books that come across my feed. TGC was offering a copy of this devotional Fruitful: Cultivating A Spiritual Harvest That Won't Leave You Empty that explores the fruit of the Spirit. In lighth of exploring a fruitful faith, this has been a joy to read.
In Abiding
This song has been on repeat for me this week. The first time I listened, it brought me to tears—praising God for His mercies and goodness, even while walking through the dark places.
A few months ago, I signed up for the daily emails from Matthew Henry's Method For Prayer. I've really appreciated these scripture prayers, how they help me slow down, meditate and reflect.
In Articles
20 Inspiring Christian Documentaries | Brett McCracken (TGC)
In an age where we risk "brain rot" every time we look at a screen, here are some healthy, uplifitng alternatives. Some you can find for free, others have options to rent.
Jesus Understands | Blake Long
As we've been studying the book of James with the ladies at church, it's been super practical and we've talked a lot about the invitation to examine ourselves and repent of sin. This look at Jesus as our high priest is a balm of relief to weary souls caught up in striving. He understands, He sympathizes and He draws near to us. "He understands. he went through it all for you. Trust that He understands you and let that reality push you forward in your walk with Him."
Awaken Your Hunger | Glenna Marshall
I loved Piper’s Hunger for God and his reminder that “the more deeply you walk with Christ, the hungrier you get for Christ.” That line stirs my heart and whets my spiritual appetite. Glenna encourages us to pursue more time in the Word and in prayer, and to put distance between ourselves and our screens—so that we might rediscover the deep soul satisfaction only found in Him.
(and if you're interested for more reading on deependingour spiritual hunger , I'd recommend this one and this one)
Teaching Our Kids Missional Hospitality | Michael Goldstein (Rooted Ministry)
In our little suburb on the prairies, I'd say the language of missional hospitality is popsicles in the summer and hot chocolate in the spring, fall...and winter. Something I've found super helpful is having a meal matrix (nod to Amy for the idea). Having a plan has made kids joining us for meals simpler. Although we've come across a few friends who end up consistently staying on Butter Chicken night or Chicken Burger. I apologize for the repeat meal, but I guess it can't be that bad if they're staying again, right?
(Also, I added The Art of Neighboring to my TBR)
Gossip is a Tornado: If Your Words Have Ever Splintered Trust | Timarie Friesen (GCD)
Gossip is one of the 3 G's of what we'd classify as "respectable sins" in the church (gossip, greed, glutony). You know, the sinful ways we act in church that we don't talk about often enough because we're afraid of making sin too real of hurting someone's feelings in the process. If you've been on the brunt of gossip or you've been caught doing it and hurt someone along the way, Timarie reminds us,"The gospel is the most compelling antidote to gossip, so if you're struggling to discern what qualifies as gossip or struggling to feel gracious toward those who frustrate you the most, don't despair. Rehearse the gospel's good news."
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