Can you have a faith without works? Is that possible? James Chapter 2 14:26 discusses a faith without works being "dead". What does this mean? The song Do Something by Matthew West comes to mind when I read this scripture.
The question quoted in scripture, essentially is what we should ask ourselves. "Do we profit by not helping those in need?" No! What do we gain? Pride, selfishness, inconsideration, and a hardened heart. After all, it is by works that our faith is made perfect. A man is justified not just by faith only but also by his works. Can we say we are of a faith and have a heart of faith yet turn our ears, eyes, and hearts from those in need? My Jesus never turned the other cheek to those who needed him and still doesn't.
As I reflect, have I given enough? Cared enough? Helped enough? We all shout to God, "Why don't you do something?" He did...he created us. Our faith should be displayed through our works for others.
Challenge: Seek opportunities to demonstrate your faith through helping others. It could be as simple as helping a friend with a duty at work or something such as helping out the needy or assisting and volunteering at a local shelter. Pray that God will open opportunities to show your faith through your works.
"Do Something"
I woke up this morning
Saw a world full of trouble now
Thought, how’d we ever get so far down
How’s it ever gonna turn around
So I turned my eyes to Heaven
I thought, “God, why don’t You do something?”
Well, I just couldn’t bear the thought of
People living in poverty
Children sold into slavery
The thought disgusted me
So, I shook my fist at Heaven
Said, “God, why don’t You do something?”
He said, “I did, I created you”
If not us, then who
If not me and you
Right now, it’s time for us to do something
If not now, then when
Will we see an end
To all this pain
It’s not enough to do nothing
It’s time for us to do something
I’m so tired of talking
About how we are God’s hands and feet
But it’s easier to say than to be
Live like angels of apathy who tell ourselves
It’s alright, “somebody else will do something”
Well, I don’t know about you
But I’m sick and tired of life with no desire
I don’t want a flame, I want a fire
I wanna be the one who stands up and says,
“I’m gonna do something”
If not us, then who
If not me and you
Right now, it’s time for us to do something
If not now, then when
Will we see an end
To all this pain
It’s not enough to do nothing
It’s time for us to do something
We are the salt of the earth
We are a city on a hill (shine shine, shine shine)
But we’re never gonna change the world
By standing still
No we won’t stand still
No we won’t stand still
No we won’t stand still
If not us, then who
If not me and you
Right now, it’s time for us to do something
If not now, then when
Will we see an end
To all this pain
It’s not enough to do nothing
It’s time for us to do something [x3]