Faith Made Whole/Completed
Faith and action, working together in harmony, with actions supporting the faith I espouse and my faith fueling my actions. Sounds simple enough, but when I sit and think about my actions, day in and day out I begin to wonder. Is my faith being made complete by what I do or do my actions underscore a faith that is really more “lip service” than “Lord Service”? Am I so caught up in the daily grind or ritual or groove or rut of life that I compartmentalize my actions from my faith in order to orchestrate a neat and tidy life? Doesn’t God value the economy of organization or is that just another way I work around Him to control what isn’t really mine to control in the first place?
Earlier in this chapter, James encourages us to give food to the hungry and not just tell them that we wish them well, speaking words of encouragement. Is it too easy for me to give priority to actions I want to take and avoid the actions this hungry person needs because it doesn’t fit my well organized and goal driven life? Will it put a kink in my five year plan? Do I realize that I am failing to take action with the faith I say I embrace?
I can tell everyone that I believe that a chair will support me without fail when I sit on it, but if I never take the seat, is this what I truly believe? James, through the divine inspiration of God the Father, challenges me to evaluate of my faith and link it to what I do. Faith and action should be as easy as breathing in and breathing out. So in the light of James 2:22, the question I must now answer is, “Am I ready to take that next breath”?
“do my actions underscore a faith that is really more “lip service” than “Lord Service?”
Wow, that stings a little…but it is a good sting!
Thank you!