May 13
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JAMES 2
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead -James 2:14-17
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JAMES 2 FAITH WITHOUT COMPASSION IS POINTLESS
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
To believe in the Lord Jesus Christ means that you love and care for others
Because he cares for the weak, the poor, the broken hearted and the vulnerable
One who claims they are Jesus’ followers ought to manifest love and compassion
To say that you are a believer and not show your love for others is a delusion
If Jesus sampled to us his sacrificial love by dying on the cross for us
Why couldn’t we show the same consideration for the body of Christ?
What good is it to live a contented life when people around you are in anguish?
Didn’t the Lord choose the poor in the world and love them lavishly?
Weren’t the poor in spirit heirs to God’s kingdom and received salvation?
Love those who are needy and marginalized and aide them in their situations.
What is the point of claiming you are a Christian when you don’t show love?
What good will spoken words do when they aren’t accompanied by works?
To continue to believe you have faith but have not shown love is hypocrisy
When our only concern is our own comfort and pleasure, we are ungodly
Let our faith be accompanied by concern, understanding and love for others
If someone is in need of something, let’s be quick to give aide to one another
Faith without compassion is pointless; actions are louder than words
Without words, we can still manifest our faith by showing kindness and love
Faith accompanied by love and compassion is genuine and true
Faith without works shows a false understanding of the Lord our God.
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REFLECTION
• What is James challenging Christians in the following verses?
• How is true faith different from faith as shown in this wise book of James?