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There is a passage in James that reads as follows:
Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? 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?
James 2:14-17 MSG
I've read this before. I've taught this before - both in a classroom setting and from behind a pulpit.
Yet, I've also told someone I would pray for them and didn't. I have told someone I would pray for them and did but didn't do anything else to help when maybe I could have done something.
This is a tough standard.
It's easy to hear about someone's hard times and genuinely, compassionately tell them you will pray. That's great. Do that. But don't stop there. If we lean into "God-talk" as The Message translation puts it, without making an effort to back it up with "God-acts", what are we really doing?
This is a challenge we all need to hear regularly. When we see someone struggling, or hear about life kicking people when they are down, we need to prayerfully consider what God might be calling us to do. Maybe you can't do much personally, but know someone who can or have a connection with an organization equipped to step in.
Maybe you can't always provide a meal to a hungry person, but surely you can get them a packet of tuna.
Maybe you can't provide lodging for someone on the street, but you can help them get a blanket or a jacket.
Maybe you truly don't know how to fix a complex problem for a friend, but you can walk alongside them so they don't face it alone.
Our Bible studies this semester focus on how Jesus transforms us because "Transformed People Transform Places." We are walking through the invitation to "come and see" - an invitation that is open to each of us and one we have a responsibility to extend to everyone we meet.
I encourage you to continue praying for people, especially folks who are hurting. But let's also be ready to back those words up with "God-acts" as He leads.
Andy
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