James 2:14-17 What good is it if people claim they have faith but don't act like it? Can that kind of faith save them? Suppose a brother or sister has no clothes or food. Suppose one of you says to them, "Go. I hope everything turns out fine for you. Keep warm. Eat well." And you do nothing about what they really need. Then what good have you done? It is the same with faith. If it doesn't cause us to do something, it's dead.
Has anyone ever asked you, "How are you?" Then, by the time you finished divulging everything, you realize that they just wanted a quick "I'm good. How are you?" I am sure we have all experienced this and sadly, because of the "busyness" of life, we may occasionally be the one looking for the quick response.
We all have so many demands on our lives, and it may at times seem impossible to spare even a moment to give others our full attention. My daughter often redirects her young daughters when they are not responding to her directives by reminding them to put their "listening ears on".
I wonder if God is sending us the same message, but, unfortunately, it falls on deaf ears because we are entirely insulated with our long lists of "To Dos". What would we hear Him say to us if we truly took the time to listen?
I believe He would tell us just as today's scripture reveals that faith without action is dead. He would advise us to respond in an attentive fashion in order to be used as His hands and His feet.
I challenge you today to use every opportunity that comes your way to not only talk the talk but to also WALK the WALK. Is this an easy task that I am proposing to you this morning? No, it is not, but it is a worthwhile one. Tragically, it could be the difference in one day having Jesus respond to us with the words "Well done good and faithful servant" OR "Depart from Me, I never knew you". Since I know the response that I long to hear, I accept the challenge. What about you?
Dear Lord, I pray that I always make You a priority in my life and that I do not allow the "busyness" of life to dull my hearing and my actions. My desire is to be a person of ACTION --- not one of all talk!
I thank You Jesus for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life. In the Name of Jesus I pray, Amen
