James 2:14-17 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? (15) If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, (16) And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? (17) Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
If you were to take a poll, apparently a huge percentage of Americans would claim to be followers of God. With that understood, would you look out into society and say that it appears that a huge percentage of people behave as if they are Christians? I certainly wouldn’t! I would tend to see things more like Jesus does.
Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Jesus said that few are on the way or path that leads to life, which could be translated to being a few that actually have the lifestyle of a Christian. So if a large percentage claims to be followers but it is more like a “few”... why the difference? I think James hits the nail on the head. Because having a faith in God is more than making a profession. It must also include ACTION. James is saying faith without works or action is dead. It has no value. It is worthless.
A worthwhile faith....a saving faith is more than words. It’s more than wearing a crusifix. It’s more than hitting “Like” to a religious theme on Facebook. It is more than passing on a religious email that tells you to ‘forward this if you love Jesus’. A worthwhile faith....a saving faith requires real substantive action.
Notice the illustrative example that James gives to make his point. If you run across a person who is in need of basic necessities (food and clothing), and because of your “faith” you SAY (again mere words), ‘Be warmed and Filled’, James asks...What does it profit? It certainly didn’t profit the person in need! And the conclusion is that it does not profit you either!
In order for faith to be profitable to any one, WHAT we beleive must be put into action! We must let our light SHINE! We must actually feed and clothe that poor person. We must bear one another’s burdens. And the list goes on and on.
Christianity is not just a box to be checked on a form to identify what category we belong in, Christianity must be a lifestyle to be lived or it is DEAD!
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