“Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” James 2:17.
Joe believed that he is a farmer. He has incredible knowledge of good farming and fertilization practices. He reads many books in order to learn all the new techniques to grow even more produce each year without increasing the size of his farm. He is very proud of what he has learned and shares his knowledge with anyone he can. However, there is a serious problem with Joe. In all the years he has had his farm, he has never planted a single crop. He talks a good talk but has never done anything that a farmer is known for. So this begs the question, is Joe really a farmer?
I have attended many church services since becoming a Christian in 1977. In these many years, I have determined there are three major groups in most churches in America. You can probably find more if you choose to become more granular in your analysis, however, for this discussion these three will suffice.
The first are the uncommitted. These are people who have not made a commitment to Christ but are attending church in order to find out what Christianity is all about. At some point, they may join one of the other two groups I will be discussing later, or if they do not find reality, they may choose to forget about church altogether, not seeing anything worth giving their life to. Going back to the farmer analogy, they are those who look into starting a farm to see if they would like to become a farmer and what it would take to get started.
The second group is what I would call the committed. These are Christians that are all in, live the real Christian life in all aspects of their lives, or in most while striving to become true to the cause of Christ in all things. They have made Him Lord of their lives and are growing in Him more every day. They go out and strive to make a difference every day. If there is an opportunity to serve God and they have the means to make it happen, they will. Again, In the farmer analogy they are the true farmers who not only learn about farming but also go out and plant crops each year. They learn and strive to become a better farmer every year.
Now, I come to the third group, which is the one I want to focus on. These are the simulators, ones who claim the title of Christian but do not really live it out. Oh, they go to church. They read their bibles and/or devotionals. They sing their songs and give their tax deductible gifts. However, their focus is on what they can get out of Church, and how they can look good in the process. They do little to nothing to help the needy and hurting, and when away from church, little thought is given to God. Again, In the farmer analogy, they are the fake farmers who call themselves a farmer but never plant a crop in the field.
James, a bond servant of Christ said in the second chapter of the book named after him the following,
“If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” James 2:15-17.
True Christians love God, love their brothers and sisters, love the unsaved, and love their enemies. And love necessitates doing something for them. In fact, true love is not just a feeling but also an action. If you love your brother, then when you see him struggling, you will be there with him, either alleviating his struggles or helping him through difficult times. This may take the form of monetary assistance, counsel, prayer, etc. It can also take the form of an encouraging word, However, if you have the means to do something for them and choose not to, is this truly love? I would say no.
True Christianity is total devotion to God and submitting to His Lordship. This means if He tells us to do something, we do it. And we are called to go out and spread the gospel.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20.
We are also called to love our enemies.
“Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” Romans 12:20-21.
If our enemy is in need, we are to meet that need. This is an act of love for him, and who knows, the kindness you show them may be what is necessary for them to see the truth and be saved. We are called to love everyone, the brethren as well as our enemies.
“But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation 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; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to 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? ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ “Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ “Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ Matthew 25:31-45
Being a Christian is more than a proclamation. It is more than saying a prayer and now you are safe. Being a Christian is being Christ-like. It is loving and doing, just as He did. Many times, this is not convenient. It is more than just not doing the don’ts, we must, I say must, do the do’s. Therefore, as Christians, works are essential; Not for salvation, but in living the life you profess. So, going back to the farmer analogy, have you planted a crop, or have you only talked and studied with an empty field? I am going to make a pledge that I will act as I profess. Will you take this pledge with me? You may already be, but we can always do more. And make this pledge to God, not just to me. He is the one we are serving. I have found the more I give, the more fulfilling my life becomes. Try it, I believe you will find the same to be true.
Be First to Comment