How is your faith? Do you consider your faith to be strong? How do you prove it is? What are you doing with your faith? Are you putting it into action? Are you going about accomplishing the work God has planned for you?
We may or may not think of action or work as faith. If we do not, we need to take a closer look at what James says about faith and works. For our faith to be true faith, it must be put into action. Not just any action, but action that is pleasing to God.
Notice the example James gives in today’s passage. Feed the hungry. Clothe those who need clothing. Now, we must not think these are the only possibilities of putting our faith into action, but we must take notice of the category these fall in to. They are needs.
Fulfilling the needs of others is the key to pleasing God, doing the good works He has planned for us. We can add actions such as providing a ride to a medical appointment, helping with a utility bill, providing free dental care, providing a safe place to sleep, and taking care of the elderly.
Make no mistake about it, James is pointing to needs, not extravagances. God desires that we take care of and look out for one another, even if the person has made bad decisions. After all, we all make bad decisions that may put us in a vulnerable position, whether it is our health or financial well-being. Of course, that doesn’t mean we should continue to make bad decisions.
I pray we all put our faith into action. I pray we take up the work God has planned for us. I pray each one of us are willing to help those who are in need, providing what we can through the blessings God has bestowed on us. Put your faith into action. Help fulfill needs. Share your blessings with others. Put faith to work. Increase your faith through works.
James 2:14-17 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Marty Pressey 