Walk the Walk

James 2:14-26

(The 2nd of two devotions.)

 

 

“'Walk the walk' is almost always said in combination with 'talk the talk'. This is a 20th century American alternative to various old sayings which epitomize the notion that 'talk is cheap', 'actions speak louder than words' and 'practice what you preach'.” (Taken from www.phrases.org)

 

It seems like this is what James was saying to the early church when he wrote, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?” And then, “…faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead”.

 

To make his point James gives this example. “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?”

 

This reminds me of the parable that Jesus told about the sheep and goats. In this story the King told the righteous that they had fed him, given him drink, invited him in as a stranger, clothed him, cared for him and visited him in prison when they did it for the “least of these”. In other words, they ‘walked the walk’.

 

As evidence that faith results in action, James gives two examples from the Old Testament. The first was Abraham, the father of the Jewish faith. Any self-respecting Jew would find no fault with him. But the second is Rahab, a prostitute. Even though she is an acknowledged sinner, her faith was visible by her actions.

 

Driving his point further that faith leads to actions, James makes this statement, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe and shudder”. In other words, believing, or having faith, is not enough unless the appropriate actions follow.

 

Listen to the words of Jesus on this topic of action and deeds: “So Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, “If you are faithful to what I have said, you are truly my disciples. And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free!” Later in the book of John he said this, “If you really love me, you will keep the commandments I have given you…”

 

To walk the walk requires action. It requires obedience. It requires good works. But to

do it requires a loving relationship with the Living God that is fleshed out every day, every hour and every minute. As you walk the walk, keep this verse in your mind and heart:  ^“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

 

 

 

 

 

This is My Friend Dan

 



James 2:14-26

“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”      

1 Thessalonians 1:3

 

 

I’d like to introduce you to a friend of mine. His name is Dan. Dan graduated from Ohio State in social work. His faith in Christ gave him a desire to help the poor and the disenfranchised.

 

On the near West side of Columbus, just across the Scioto River from downtown, is a neighborhood called Franklinton. However, for many reasons, it is also referred to as The Bottoms. Consider these statistics from Wikipedia:

• 56% of Franklinton residents do not have a high school diploma.
• Over 60% of the residents live below the poverty line.
• 93% of the students at the public elementary schools are eligible for free or reduced lunch.

 

Coming out of college, Dan took a job at Gladden Community House. Gladden is a settlement house located in the heart of Franklinton. It was founded by Reverend Washington Gladden and Mrs. Celia Jeffrey in 1905 as a neighborhood outreach mission of First Congregational Church. Although it has lost the purpose of a Christian mission, that is exactly why Dan has worked there for the past thirty years.

 

 In addition to serving full time at Gladden he has volunteered in numerous other ministry outreaches in Franklinton and beyond.

Dan on a Kentucky mission trip

1. For about 10 years he was one of the leaders of the Big Event Club that met before school at Starling Middle School.
2. For over 10 years he volunteered at Mt. Carmel Hospital, located in Franklinton, with the Chaplaincy Services.
3. He helped start the Franklinton Development Association, a non-profit that provides affordable housing.
4. For 20 years he has made an annual journey to DC to participate in the “March for Life” to keep the issue of abortion in the political conscience.
5. More could be written if there was space.

 

James wrote in today’s passage, “You see that his (Abraham’s) faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.” In the same way, Dan’s faith has been made complete by his actions.  As believers, we are each called for our faith to lead to actions; for “faith without works is dead”.