A lasting help

 

James 2:14-17. NRSV

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? 17 So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.

I really love this.  I have heard some Christians speak as if all they have to do for salvation IS believe.  They seem to think that if they show up to worship Jesus and talk about Jesus and sing about Jesus and have a personal relationship with Jesus, they have done enough.  I don’t think that’s right.  

When the disciples came to Jesus asking what to do when the multitudes had followed him and were hungry, he told the disciples “You feed them.” Jesus didn’t tell his disciples to sing and worship all the day long, but to go out and care for others - feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, caring for the sick.  And that’s what they did.  Yes, they gathered to pray and hear about Jesus and share the meal of remembrance, but they also pooled their funds so they could feed the widows.  They went out into the community doing good things for whomever needed their help.  And yes, he did tell them to spread the Good News that God’s Kingdom was at hand, but that was in addition to the caring for people part, not instead of it.  

In order to be obedient to the Lord, we must do more than call out, “Lord, Lord.”  Jesus said, ““Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21).  Discerning the will of God is not always easy, but we do know for sure that God desires us “to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with our Lord.” (Micah 6:8) 

It’s a case of walking the walk instead of just talking the talk.  We can talk about God and what God wants from us all day long, but unless we actually do those things, unless we actually act on the love that we have for others, Paul tells us it is “as if we are a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” (1 Corinthians 13:1) 

If we are to be truly faithful, then like the 1st century Christians we must demonstrate our faith by reaching out to those in need, whether their need is physical, emotional or spiritual.  It is not enough to say “Peace be with you,” if we do not try to help them find lasting peace.  It’s like the way some agencies deal with homeless people.  They don’t just offer a meal and a shelter for overnight, but work with that person to learn why they are homeless and how their situation can be changed for the long run.  Our best work in the world will help everyone be their best self, reconciled with God and with each other.

Loving God, we want to do what you desire that we do.  Help us as we seek the best ways to show our faith, caring for all of your children in their hour of need, whatever that need might be.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.