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Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don't know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown? Will you let my name be known,
will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

from “The Summons” by John L. Bell & Graham Maule

Listen

My brothers and sisters, what good is it if people say they have faith but do nothing to show it? Claiming to have faith can’t save anyone, can it? Imagine a brother or sister who is naked and never has enough food to eat. What if one of you said, “Go in peace! Stay warm! Have a nice meal!”? What good is it if you don’t actually give them what their body needs? In the same way, faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity.

James 2:14-17

Think

You know the phrase, “actions speak louder than words”? Well, the author of James wants to remind us that when it comes to faith the saying is especially true. Claiming to have faith without acting on it is ridiculous – as ridiculous as telling someone to have a nice meal but not giving them anything to eat. When our faithful belief doesn’t result in faithful action our faith not only looks ridiculous, it doesn’t help anyone, and we’re told it’s dead.

Faith without faithful activity has no heartbeat since the heartbeat of our faith is love of God and loving our neighbors as ourselves. If we can watch our neighbors be naked or hungry or oppressed and not be moved to action – then our faith has flat-lined. And when people who claim faith have no faithful activity to show for it, we risk dulling the heartbeat of faith for others. And then, truly, what good is faith like that?

Katie Lloyd

Pray

God, enliven my faith that it may lead to faithful activity. Give me eyes to see my neighbors in need and a heart ready to respond in love. Keep the heartbeat of my faith strongly beating in tune with your love. Amen.

Go

Lord your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In Your company I'll go where Your love and footsteps show.
Thus I'll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

from “The Summons” by John L. Bell & Graham Maule