My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
—James 1:19-27

~~~~~

Heartfelt Reasonings
Jennifer Kane

“I never give to the homeless. Doing that won’t get me to heaven,” 
I hear some say, piously, 
as they wash their hands in the church kitchen sink, 
wiping away the crumbs from spilled creamer.

“You can’t buy your way to heaven.” 
Others scoff, 
passing by a man at the intersection, 
buying a meal for a hungry soul 
waiting outside a church that seats thousands.

“Works don’t get you to heaven,” 
this is declared, 
as others sit blistering in the heat, 
gathering to build a home 
for those who have nothing. 
Meanwhile, those who speak these words 
return to their comfortable homes, 
never considering that it could have been them.

“I don’t need to do works for heaven. I just need faith in Jesus,” 
they say, 
hands lifted in prayer, 
while ignoring the hand reaching out to them 
for help.

You are right. 
Doing things won’t get me to heaven. 
I can’t buy my way to heaven. 
Works don’t get me there. 

But God says, 
*Faith without works is dead.* 
A faith that does nothing is cold, 
like the fig tree that only shows leaves 
but bears no fruit. 
It is in danger of becoming cursed.

If your religion keeps you from helping the widows and orphans, 
if you turn your eyes away from those in need— 
those who need salvation from the world and its darkness the most— 
then you are no different than the religious leaders 
you’ve condemned.

If your Jesus would be condemned by your church leaders 
for getting into the dirt, 
then are you really His disciple?

It’s not works to earn heaven, 
but with heaven already in our hearts, 
as citizens of the Kingdom of God, 
love in action is the evidence of a changed heart. 

So let your reasonings be heartfelt. 
It’s love in action that spreads the gospel, 
not the gathering of the self-righteous.

~~~~~

Scripture: James 1:19-27, Matthew 7:24-27

James 1:19-27 and Matthew 7:24-27 call us to a life where faith is not just spoken but shown through actions. James urges us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Instead, we are called to lay aside all moral filth and humbly accept God’s Word, which has the power to save us.

But James doesn’t stop at hearing. He says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” A faith that hears but does not act is like looking in a mirror and forgetting what you look like. It is incomplete—a shadow of what God desires.

Jesus underscores this truth in Matthew 7:24-27, comparing two builders: one who hears His words and acts on them, and one who hears but does not. The first builds on the rock, the other on sand. Only the house on the rock withstands the storm. Faith must be lived to endure the trials of life and the judgment of eternity.

“I don’t need to do works for heaven. I just need faith in Jesus,” some say, raising hands in prayer while ignoring the hand reaching out for help. Others declare, “You can’t buy your way to heaven,” passing by those in need without a second glance.

But James is clear: Faith without works is dead (James 2:17). A lifeless faith, like a barren fig tree, may have leaves but no fruit. It risks being cursed. True religion, James says, is to care for orphans and widows in their distress and to remain unpolluted by the world.

God calls us to action—not to earn salvation, but because salvation has transformed us. Works are the evidence of faith alive in our hearts. As citizens of God’s Kingdom, our love in action spreads the gospel and reflects the nature of Christ.

If your faith doesn’t compel you to love, serve, and help, then it’s time to examine if your belief is merely words or the living faith God desires.

Examine your faith. Does your faith bear fruit? Are your actions aligned with the Word of God? Choose one way today to do what God is calling you to. Help someone in need, speak kindness, or show love in a tangible way. Let your actions be a testimony of the transformation God has worked in your life.

~~~~~

Father God,
Thank You for planting Your Word in my heart. Help me not only to hear but to act, to live out my faith in love and service. Forgive me for the times I’ve been slow to help or quick to anger. Teach me to reflect Your love in all I do, so my faith may bear the fruit of good works—not for salvation, but as evidence of Your grace in me. May my life bring glory to You and draw others to Your Kingdom.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

December 6 2024