A CALL TO DO SOMETHING

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?

James 2:14-16

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

It seems hard to believe for me but it has been thirteen years since Christian music songwriter/singer Matthew West released a song titled “Do Something”. The lyrics were born out of a conviction moment he had after feeling complete frustration over the state of the world around him. In turning to God and demanding to know when He was going to do something, Matthew found himself being reminded by God that He had done something. He had created him to be His hands and feet while making a positive impact on the world through fulfilling His will.

Here are some of the powerful words found in this song:

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, yeah, I created you" (now listen)

 

If not us, then who

If not me and you

Right now, it's time for us to do something, yeah

If not now, then when

Will we see an end

To all this pain

Oh, it's not enough to do nothing

It's time for us to do something

As we look at the issues plaguing our communities, our states, our nations, and our world, it’s time for us to not just sit back and complain about the way things are but to actively seek to be the change in the world, doing so by following God’s direction and working with His strength and power within us.

Looking at our scripture passage for today from the second chapter of James, we find the Lord sending us a “do something” demand. Look again at those words here:

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? Vv. 14-16

There are a multitude of people in need of help every day and some of the needs are basic, like clothing or food. Looking at the problem’s immensity by sheer numbers could convince someone that the issue is impossible for one person to fix and they would be right. But think about the change that could happen if every person who was able to make ends meet or better could provide some food and/or clothing to one needy person.

One person meeting the needs of another.

And if you have a family, how about the notion of helping a family similar to you that needed help. Think about the sheer impact of just teaching children the importance of valuing others to the point of not just saying you care but actually showing it...actually doing something about their needs.

Ultimately, Christians need to be all in on this principle because the Lord they serve is definitely all in already. He has provided the people of this world with all that is required to make sure no one is in need. Yes, some may have more than others but this means the responsibility and accountability for taking action are greater. If the Lord has blessed someone with affluency then that person should be generous well above average and exceedingly so. We are expected to do something with whatever the Lord had blessed us with and to do so to His glory.

That’s how things are supposed to work and it’s high time that believers start getting onboard, setting the example for fellow believers, and even non-believers, to follow.

When we see someone in need, let’s stop expecting someone else to do something and take action ourselves. For remember, our Lord loves a cheerful giver, one who looks for opportunities to help others and then capitalizes on those opportunities as good stewards of what He has provided.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it. Send any prayer requests to TheChristianWalkPrayers@gmail.com.