MAKE IT COUNT!

'Faith without deeds is dead' James 2:26

If one of your friends told you that their mum was seriously ill and they were scared about the test results, would you say, "I'll keep my fingers crossed for you?" It's the thought that counts, but we all know that's a bit pointless, really. 'By the power of these nimble digits, let the results be A-OK!' Likewise, if you say, "I'll pray for her" and then never give it a second thought, why bother even saying that you will? James (Jesus' brother, with a book of his very own in the New Testament) says there's no point to our faith unless we do good deeds.

He gives this example: 'Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, 'Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!' and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup - where does that get you? Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?' (vv. 15-17 TM).

What now? Read the whole of James - it won't take long. It's packed with how we should live out our faith in our words and deeds! Find three things you long to see in your life, and pray for God's help.

written by Bob Gass