“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? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”—James 2:14–17 (NIV)

In this cultural moment of upheaval and uncertainty in our nation, the Bible speaks words of warning and wisdom. Jesus warns His disciples that as evil increases in the end times, the love of most people will grow cold (Matthew 24:12). In this moment of rising evil, growing division, and unfettered emotion, we’re watching Jesus’ words become reality. Sadness, anger, fear, and numbness are threatening to paralyze the church and allow division to triumph over love and unity. But James, the brother of Jesus, reminds us in a simple prophetic tone that the people of God have always and will always be characterized by the way they love. This is the way of Jesus. It is not hard to understand—it’s hard to do. 

In our busy world, it’s so easy to recite the words of Jesus and walk right past people who are in need. But James won’t let us off the hook. His words ring through the centuries as a reminder that love isn’t just something that’s proclaimed, it’s something that’s demonstrated. And as Christians, we have this moment to demonstrate the love of Christ throughout our region in a tangible way that will have eternal impact. 

It’s precisely when the love of “most” grows cold that the light of Christian love shines the brightest. James offers a no-fluff, unfiltered truth, reminding followers of Jesus that though our profession of faith is important, if it isn’t followed by action, it’s a dead faith. Any effort to make the Christian life solely about words and creeds and right beliefs misses the heart of the gospel. 

Following Jesus’ example can be very simple: If we see someone hungry or in need, we have a chance to demonstrate love—to show that our faith is more than words. James isn’t saying we’re saved by our good deeds, but that our good deeds flow from a heart that’s been transformed by the gospel. We share because Jesus shared with us. We serve because He served us. We love because He first loved us. 

And so in this season, we join with churches across South Florida in following Jesus’ example of looking for people who are sad, tired, hungry, or less fortunate, and we offer them something that costs us something, just like Jesus did.

Pause: Have I noticed people in need around me in the last week? When was the last time I stopped to help someone in need? Why is it so hard for me to share my faith when I offer tangible help?   

Practice: Ask the Lord to help you slow down today and notice people who are in need around you. Be prepared to help by carrying a gift card, a Bible, and an invite card to your church so you can invite them into your Christian community.  

Pray: Father, from whom all provision and blessings flow, You’re our God, the One who fulfills our every need. We come before You with thanksgiving and praise. Thank You, God, for all the ways You’ve kept me. You, my God, are faithful and Your love is steadfast. Lord, I come before You asking that You make me a faithful witness. Make Your church a people of not words only, but deeds. Let love lead all that we do as we put our faith in You. Lord, would You show us the works You’ve prepared for us to fulfill for Your glory? Father, give us hearts that trust in Your complete and total provision, hearts that permit us to live generously in every way, seeking to fulfill every good work You set before us. May the faith we’ve placed in Jesus appear not only in what we say but also permeate the way we live. I ask this so the world may see our active and faithful lives and know we serve the living God. Lord, grant us Your Spirit to activate our faith. Grant us faith that leads us to live lives that testify of Your steadfast love, Jesus’ kingship, and the power of the Spirit who dwells within each of us. Lord, forgive us when we’ve been faithless. Forgive us for living as the world, holding fast to the things of this world instead of the things of God. Thank You, God, for Your sure mercy in the blood of Jesus. We extend mercy to anyone who has fallen into this same trap of the enemy. Lord, turn our hearts toward Your ways. I ask, Father, that You revive our faith where we’ve let it die. Conform us to the image of Your faithful and true witness, Jesus. In the name of Jesus, the faithful Servant of the Father, I pray. Amen.