Scissors and Submarines

“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?” –James 2:14

It seems that in our culture, we have a tendency to separate faith and works. Faith tends to become a simple set of beliefs that don’t affect our actions. Our works seem to be completely separate from our faith. This is simply not a biblical view. So, before we get to deep in discussing the difference, I simply want to give you two useful pictures to aid you in understanding this concept.

The first comes from C.S. Lewis. When explaining whether faith or works is more important, Lewis responded by saying, “It does seem to me like asking which blade in a pair of scissors is most necessary.” About the only thing that I’ve used one blade of the scissors for is when wrapping presents. But scissors need both blades to operate according to their design.

The second picture is a bit different. It comes from the late great Rich Mullins. Here are the lyrics to his classic camp song, Screen Door on a Submarine:

It's about as useless as a screen door on a submarine
Faith without works baby It just ain't happenin'
One is your left hand, one is your right
It'll take two strong arms to hold on tight
Some folks cut off their nose just to spite their face
I think you need some works to show for your alleged faith

Well there's a difference you know b'tween having faith and playing make believe
One will make you grow the other one just make you sleep
Talk about it but I really think you oughtta
Take a leap off of the ship before you claim to walk on water
Faith without works is like a song you can't sing
It's about as useless as a screen door on a submarine

Faith comes from God and every word that He breathes
He lets you take it to your heart so you can give it hands and feet
It's gotta be active if it's gonna be alive You gotta put it into practice otherwise....

It's about as useless as a screen door on a submarine
Faith without works, baby it just ain't happenin'
One is your right hand, one is your left It's your light, your guide Your life and your breath
Faith without works is like a song you can't sing
It's about as useless as a screen door on a submarine