“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?”
James 2:15-16 NIV
We are surrounded by opportunities to help others. What we do with those opportunities is a matter of both the condition of our heart and our faith. First, we will do little or nothing if we have no compassion for others in their life’s afflictions. Secondly we will need faith to put our compassion into action- do something to help change their circumstances. You see, faith isn’t an emotional issue where you feel energized and stimulated. It is an action noun that demands things get done.
James tells us that words alone in times of need are not sufficient. We need to be aware of the action that is needed to truly effect change for the better. I love it when others pray for me, but I appreciate even more the things people may do for me in my time of struggle. People remember acts of kindness, acts of generosity more so than just words offered to them. If we have faith in Our God, we will be people who put our faith into motion to make differences in our lives and the lives of others. Be more than that glimmer of light, be the substance of real hope to others by making a difference through action!
For us believers, faith is our hope in things not yet seen but to others let us be a very present help in the lives of others by our acts of service for our Lord!
In Christ
RJ