James 4:15-17

James 4:15-17

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.

The kind words that we share with each other are a good thing. When we speak words of love, peace, and concern for one another, it blesses both parties. But I am a firm believer that God intends for us to take it a step further. I am confident that God intends for us to invest in the lives of another, actually putting to action the kind words that we speak. We often say “I love you” to family and friends. But do we actually do anything to display that love and make it truly felt by the other person? We say “I hope you have a great day”. But how often do we actually do something to help that person have a great day? Or we speak words like “I hope you get to feeling better” to a sick family member. But do we actually do anything to help that person feel better. It’s probably safe to say that we tend to lean more on just speaking kind words than actually investing time and energy into putting those words into action. When Jesus came to this earth, he put his words into action…he put his money where his mouth is. When he spoke words of forgiveness, love, and salvation, they were not empty words without action. No, they were spoken before he took massive and mighty actions. Imagine if Christ had said “Hope you get that sin thing worked out soon”, and then went on about his life, living to a comfortable old age. Or what if when approached with the leper, the blind, and even the dead he had only said “I hope you get to feeling better soon” and then went about his other business? When Jesus spoke words of love, kindness, and comfort, he followed them up with big time actions. He healed the sick, blind, and lame that came to him for comfort…right there on the spot! And when he said “I love you” and “Your sins are forgiven”, he then allowed himself to be nailed to the cross to show that great love and forgiveness. I pray that we not only continue to speak words of kindness and love to one another, but that we also follow the Spirit, putting those words into action in the lives of others. For we are a family of believers, united under one Father, committed to serving him above all else…and when we act in the lives of others, we are serving the Lord. To God alone be the glory!