Journal Entry ~ 06/21/18

15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? - James 2:15-16

So many people who call themselves Christians keep their faith tucked away in a safe place they can control. They believe they are a saved Christian because they go to church, but beyond that, it really doesn’t impact their lives. Some may say prayers when they’re facing a difficult situation, but they don’t independently open His Word in a regular basis. Some may even have some verses memorized, but not something they work to live out in their lives. Many people profess Jesus as their Lord when in the presence of other believers, but clearly do not have God as their focus when interacting with the world. Sunday Christians who are lovers of the world Monday through Saturday - that’s who is being challenged here. 

James challenges what faith looks like in this passage of scripture. He wants us to view our faith as God views our faith, not as the world dictates. He is challenging outside of our comfort zone. 

God created us to be relational being living in community together, supporting and taking care of one another. This had been His perfect plan from the very beginning. He created us to be great comforters of one another, loving together, supporting one another in our needs. We were never meant to do this life alone, we were never meant to figure it all out by ourselves. We were meant to live in community - the kind of community that steps up and takes care of a need when we see one. Anywhere we fail that, we
are failing our God. 

So, James begins this section with an illustration of faithlessness. If we know of a need, and we fail to meet it, we fail period. Far too often, we see or we know of a need, but we often dismiss it because it would require us to step outside of our comfort zone. Instead, we prefer to believe that God will provide for their needs somehow. What we fail to recognize is that we are the very provision God has allowed to fulfill that need for that person. We are the very solution to the problem that God set before us. 

Faith is not empty or void of works. You cannot profess a saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, but at the same time know of an unfulfilled need and not do anything. Faith is not simply a phrase or something we say to make things better. Faith requires action. 


Press on ~ you are loved 💗

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