The evidence of our faith (Part two)
“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” (NIV) James 2:15-17
Read part one: The evidence of our faith (Part one)
The Christian faith is known to have several facets and without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Our faith requires action without which it becomes baseless and deniable. The apostle Paul focuses primarily on the duty of relatives in their own families (and specifically widows) in the first devotional. I want us to cruise through the Christian community as the “other immediate family” to obtain some reminders.
The church of the Lord being the community of believers is commanded to be full of action and good deeds among themselves. We are to take to heart the needs of those in the household of faith. “Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:10). In several situations, Paul shares the urgency in going to the aid of fellow Christians. Thus, in 1Corinthians 16: 2, the saints who were in need were relieved through the daily laying in store contribution (this was to avoid any hasty and unplanned response to the needs of fellow Christians who needed help). Likewise, we are to consciously express deeper concern towards the welfare of believers.
The Lord Jesus gave a new command to love one another (John 13:34) and this culminates in the bearing of each other's burden (Galatians 6:2). Sometimes we fall short in bearing the burdens of fellow believers. This happens when we do even know ourselves as believers at least at the local congregation. We come together to worship but do not pay attention to the other person. We all have needs, one way or the other and we honor God when we are able to sense or identify the poor or the troubled soul. Some believers need some reassurance; others need to be talked with while others need some rescuing hands in some daily struggle. Let us be alert to such observations, know and call fellow Christians by their name, care about each other and be proud to give a helping hand.
When we have given our support in varying folds to both relatives and the spiritual family (the church) then will the king someday declare: ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’(Matthew 24:34-36).
Reflection
What are you sharing today?
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