Love in action
James wrote to the Church,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
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?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:14-20.
I had a pastor onece ask “does your faith have legs?” It’s great to say we have faith in Christ. Faith in God. But we need to do more than that. We need to if you will put legs on our faith and work for Christ.
I’m fond of quoting from the Talmud while not a Christian book it is a Jewish one, and Christian and Jewish thought is quite similar in many respects. With respect to the poor and good deeds the Talmud gives this explanation.
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?” He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.” The Talmud.
As Christians we have a duty to our fellow man to help those who are in need. To simply pray for them is not enough.
As James states,
“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
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?”
We need to do what we can to help the poor and those in need. Far too many Christians do not do this. Yet this is what Christians are called to do in addition to spreading the gospel message.
Jesus said,
“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” Matthew 10:42.
Everyone can do something for the poor.
Years ago when I taught Sunday School we had the Children take home a simple egg bank and asked them to collect change for missions. For children who were less fortunate. Those children collected hundreds of dollars. All of which went directly to helping others.
If children can do this adults can do so. It doesn’t take much. It just take a willingness on the individual to do so.
As a Christian reading this are you willing to take time and help those less fortunate than you? Are you willing to put your Love of God into action?
The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi is something I believe all Christians should remember. It states,
Please think about it
James wrote to the Church,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
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?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:14-20.
I had a pastor onece ask “does your faith have legs?” It’s great to say we have faith in Christ. Faith in God. But we need to do more than that. We need to if you will put legs on our faith and work for Christ.
I’m fond of quoting from the Talmud while not a Christian book it is a Jewish one, and Christian and Jewish thought is quite similar in many respects. With respect to the poor and good deeds the Talmud gives this explanation.
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?” He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.” The Talmud.
As Christians we have a duty to our fellow man to help those who are in need. To simply pray for them is not enough.
As James states,
“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
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?”
We need to do what we can to help the poor and those in need. Far too many Christians do not do this. Yet this is what Christians are called to do in addition to spreading the gospel message.
Jesus said,
“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” Matthew 10:42.
Everyone can do something for the poor.
Years ago when I taught Sunday School we had the Children take home a simple egg bank and asked them to collect change for missions. For children who were less fortunate. Those children collected hundreds of dollars. All of which went directly to helping others.
If children can do this adults can do so. It doesn’t take much. It just take a willingness on the individual to do so.
As a Christian reading this are you willing to take time and help those less fortunate than you? Are you willing to put your Love of God into action?
The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi is something I believe all Christians should remember. It states,
“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
Francis of AssisiPlease think about it
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