A homeless man in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Faith With Works
August 3, 2012
Our Daily Bread is hosted by Les Lamborn
READ: James 2:14-26
Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. —James 2:17
Because of his arthritis, Roger could no longer handle the winters of Illinois, so he moved to tropical Bangkok, Thailand. One day he remembered his grandmother’s favorite song, “What You Are”: What you are speaks so loud that the world can’t hear what you say; they’re looking at your walk, not listening to your talk; they’re judging from your actions every day.
This song prompted Roger to feed the homeless who stayed along a half-mile stretch of road. Every morning, he served hot food to more than 45 families. Years later, one of the homeless women came to know Jesus as Savior and sought out Roger to thank him for introducing her to the love of Christ.
In James, we are clearly told that faith without works is dead (2:17). It does not mean that works will result in faith, but that good works will affirm that our faith is real. It is easy to say we believe in God, but only our works can prove the truthfulness of our words.
If you don’t feel just a little convicted, then maybe a heart, spirit and relationship check might be in order. Maybe so, or maybe not that is between us and God; if we are listening……….