Prepare your heart…..He’s ready for you!...are you for Him? Verses for the day - James 2: 14-17 (NIV) 14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
(Msg) 14-17 Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?
I like the Epistle of James. It’s straight forward…he doesn’t mince any words…much like the prophets of the old testament…..(not to mention that it’s just a great name)…but bringing us back to life in the Gospel...the “follow me” life-of-action-faith in Jesus Christ!
As I read these verses…contemplate them….look at some commentaries…it’s very evident that James is speaking to us in this section about a faith that is from the mind…self-serving head knowledge that deals in the facts of salvation…a check-off list that testifies to our truth…..versus a faith that overflows with expressions of love…..a faith that “trusts” in Jesus….completely!
…and this is where Jesus touched my heart…..and asked me…”Jim, do you really trust me?”
Yeh…you do this and that at “church”….you & your family participate in “acts of kindness” with others….but do you really have faith in me….faith like a child?
Matt. 18:3 (NIV) 3 And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
….maybe my faith-in-action needs a little less thinkin’, and a lot more re-action from a heart that is totally overflowing with love…a love that flows from “child like” faith…fully dependent & trusting in Him!
Please share your thoughts…so that we’re all blessed!
Blessings to you & yours! jim