Faith in action

“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.” (James 2:14-18 NIV)

Perhaps you've heard the saying, "talk is cheap". James develops this theme as it relates to the idea of faith. He challenges the notion that a person can claim to have faith but do nothing about it. He gives the example of someone who needs food and clothing. The so-called "person of faith" wishes them well but does nothing to help them.

Several years ago, I attended a large Christian conference at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney. As our bus drew near to the venue two of my friends noticed a man's legs sticking out of a shelter used to house garbage bins. Dozens of people were walking right past the man in the shelter and ignoring him. When our bus pulled up they ran back to the man. The shelter was his home. His clothing was dirty and his hair dishevelled. On the ground next to him was a bottle in a brown paper bag. It contained methylated spirits which he was drinking. After some persuasion they were able to encourage him to get on to our minibus. We took him to the Matthew Talbot hostel for men where he had a shower and was given a clean set of clothes and a hot meal. Sadly, the next day he was back at the shelter.

This experience challenged me in several ways. It reminded me that it is much harder to live the Christian faith than simply to talk about it. It also reminded me that change doesn't always come quickly in a person's life. "Walking the road" can take time and costly commitment. James describes this as one of the hallmarks of true Christian faith.

I have also come to realise that God doesn't expect us to change the whole world by ourselves. Putting our faith into action isn't meant to be a "guilt trip". Instead it is intended to be a grateful response to the goodness of God in our own lives. We're not asked to give what we don't have. But we are told to be generous when we can. In the words of Proverbs, “Do not withhold from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbour, ‘Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow’-when you now have it with you." (Proverbs 3:27-28)

Are you a person of faith? How do your actions reflect what you believe? Who are the people that God has given you the power to help? What are you doing about it?