The Compassionate Life – Day 256 – James 2:14-17 – What Does It Profit? – Growing As Disciples
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:14-17 (NKJV)
Take Action
My faith in you requires that without a doubt. Your faith in me requires what, without a doubt? My faith in you requires me to take action. What kind of action does your faith in me require of you? I’m not sure where to begin and where to end in answering that question. Actually, there is no end to answering that question. My faith in you requires something every day. That something is new and different and unfolding every day as I love and follow and serve you. To begin my journey of faith with you, I turned away from my old life of sin. I stopped living according to the principles, patterns, and values of this world. I traded in an earthly perspective for a heavenly perspective. I stopped trying to store up treasure on earth. I stopped living for the applause of the world. My focus was taken off myself and the things of this life. My heart and mind and life are now focused on you. I am following you to where you lead me. I am doing what you ask of me. You have been molding and shaping my life as I have lived with and for you. You have given me new thoughts to think, words to speak, and actions to take. You have placed new desires in me. What new desires have I placed in you? You have given me the desire to serve you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. I am now at your service. My faith in you is living and active. I want to be able to know and do your will. What is my will for you? You want me to become like you. You want me to love like you loved. You want me to give like you gave. You want me to serve like you served. Yes, this is my will for you.
So now, my faith in you is taking action. I will no longer ignore those who are in need. I will no longer walk right on by those who are suffering. I will allow you to use me to love and serve others. As I take action, I know that I will be bearing fruit for your kingdom and bringing glory to your name. As I take action, I know that I will be a bright and bold witness for you in the world. As I take action, I know that I will be storing up treasure in heaven with you. This is the desire you have placed in my heart and mind and life. This is the life you have called me to live. This is what faith looks like. It requires me to take action. Yes, it does. This is what I will do. That will be very good.
Lord, my faith is not theoretical. My faith is not simply accepting theological doctrines. My faith has turned my life around and changed my perspective. My faith in you has transformed my thoughts, words, and actions. Now it is my desire to help others in need. Amen
Key Question… When has your faith caused you to take dramatic action to help someone in need?
Living It Out… Make sure that your faith is alive and proved genuine by helping others who are in need.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that your faith will lead you to want to help others who are in need.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your faith has led you to go out of your way to help others in need.
Prayer To Bless Others… May your faith be alive and cause you to do good works.
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