But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face in a mirror. – James 1.22 – 23
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can such faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you say to them, “Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed, “but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it? In the same way faith, if it doesn’t have work, is dead by itself. – James 2.14-17
Don't Just Sit There - God's Got Work for You!
If you claim to be a follower of Christ. You and I are called, instructed to be His hands and feet! This means that God works through us even though he doesn’t need us. God is omnipotent = all powerful; omnipresent= everywhere; omniscient= all knowing; infinite= limitless; and self-sufficient= has no needs and depends on nothing.
Praying Isn't Enough - Are We Ignoring God's Call To Action?
Prayer is an important piece in our walk with Christ. It’s how we communicate with Him. But sometimes prayer may not be what God is calling you to do in certain situations. Especially as you continue to walk and grow in your faith and relationship with Him, he will ask more of you. This process is called “sanctification”. There are times when we must turn to prayer because it’s something that ONLY God himself can do. But there are times when God will challenge us to be used by him to meet the need or void for someone here on Earth. This is because God cares the most about our hearts. Doing requires us to act and do and most times, that tends to make us feel uncomfortable which makes us have to lean on God which is always the goal. We are to need God like we need food, our daily bread!
Don't Just Pray for A Miracle - Be the Miracle!
So, as you mature in your faith and walk with Christ, you will be expected to be His hands & feet. To pray, fast, and serve others. This is spiritual maturity at its best! If someone is in need of something physical, then help meet that need, don’t just stop at prayer! There may be times when you can’t help meet someone’s needs but I want to challenge you. Sometimes we can’t help because we choose to spend our “extra” elsewhere. Look at your finances and see where you can cut back just a little. Maybe this means not buying a coffee or running through the drive through. Maybe holding back on that thing you’ve been wanting. Not getting your hair or nails done one month. We all have things we spend our money on that we could do without here and there. Put that money aside so that when God calls you to “do”, then you will be able to act out of obedience!
There’s no better feeling than making the decision to be a “giver”. To be used by God to help meet other people’s needs here on Earth.
