Faith Without Action is a Dead Faith
OPENING PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, help me to develop a faith that is active and not passive. Amen.
READ:
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:14-17)
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16)
REFLECT:
When we experience something good, or love something, we want to share it. Whether it’s a good medical report, a sports team we follow, or a show we love to watch, we want to share it.
Our relationships with Jesus are similar in the sense that we genuinely want people to know the goodness of God. Our relationships with Jesus are not meant to be private. Faith in Jesus is personal, public, uncomfortable and noticeable. Demonstrating our faith by serving others is a tangible way to be the hands of Jesus. When serving others, it’s a great opportunity to give God the glory for our service and work.
APPLY:
Think about the possibilities around you to serve someone. How can you put action behind your faith? Is there a family going through a crisis that you could cook or buy a meal for? Is there someone that you know who needs a mentor in their life? Maybe it’s someone you know that needs their kids to be driven somewhere or it could even be serving at a local food bank, a coffee shop or thrift store. No matter how or where, serving is a humble way to show others who Jesus is. It’s also important to remember, the church doesn’t exist for us but for the world. We don’t serve for us, but so the world may know Jesus.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, help me to have an active faith by being the hands of Jesus to others. Amen.
WORSHIP: