Word for the Day February 20 Tuesday
By: Pastor John
Hammack
"Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes
and daily food. 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?" James 2:15,16
God has commissioned us to have faith
and deeds. "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?"(James 2:14)
When we see someone in need, we should not hesitate to help that person. Deeds without faith are dead deeds. Faith
without deeds is dead faith. True faith always manifests itself in obedience to God and compassionate deeds done
for needy people.
James is directing his teaching against those who professed faith in Christ
and believed that such profession was all that was necessary for salvation. They believed that a personal,
obedient relationship with Christ as Lord was not essential. James says that such faith is dead and will produce neither
salvation nor anything good.
Jesus said in Matthew 25:34-40, "Then the King will
say to those on his right, '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.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see
you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in,
or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King
will reply, ' I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
James 2:26 says, "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."
