Wednesday, July 7, 2010

July 7, 2010

"Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:15-17
Good intentions are nice! They are certainly better than evil intentions. But the fact is it really doesn't matter in the end because when you are talking about intentions it really doesn't matter what you intend to do it nothing ever happens! Good intentions make a bad religion.
Faith is defined by actions! That is James' whole point for writing his book! Real faith results in real acts of kindness. Good intentions or kind thoughts do not meet the needs of hungry people or those needing clothing.
How long would your job last if you called into your boss tomorrow to inform him that you are not coming to work but you will stay home and think about what needs to be done? You will feel kindly toward him and your fellow employees, but you won't actually show up at the office.
I think you know the answer to that!
This is akin to those who tell their pastors, "I won't be there Sunday for church - but I will be there in spirit!"
I know one pastor who, when building his new church building, added a "spirit gallery" to his sanctuary for those who only "come in spirit".
One more thought on this since it is fairly obvious in it's foolishness. But what if God would have just thought about sending Jesus to redeem the world? Where would we be? And what if Jesus had come but once He got here just thought about dying on the cross and harbored good intentions of dying on the cross - but never surrendered to the cross?
God has true faith! Jesus modeled true faith! They deliver on their promises and do what they intend to do!
I'm sure you are familiar with the old saying, "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions." You only have to read these verses to see the truth of that statement.
It is equally true that the road to heaven is paved with obedient actions - aka - faith!
Which road are you on?