We’re continuing our meditation in the Letter of James, and he doesn’t mince words in this short letter. His words challenge and push us:
“Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Anyone who sets himself up as ‘religious’ by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air. Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.” (James 1:22, 26-27; The Message).
Faith that only listens and nods is like buying a fancy treadmill, setting it up, and then never stepping on it. Or downloading a fitness app, setting up your profile, and then ignoring every single workout reminder. The treadmill looks impressive. The app has potential. Both promise to benefit you in some way; that is, if you use them.
Faith is like that. It isn’t meant to sit idle as head knowledge or warm feelings. Faith is a living, breathing, moving thing. It gets up every morning, gets dressed, and heads out the door. Real faith is both a noun and a verb. Many are good when it comes to the first, but ignore the second.
The good news? James never says that we all have to become spiritual superheroes. Faith in motion often looks ordinary:
Carrying someone’s groceries because you notice they’re struggling.
Saying hello or even sitting next to a stranger who looks lonely.
Checking in on a friend when they’ve been unusually quiet.
Speaking kindly when sarcasm would’ve been easier, and perhaps more satisfying.
Volunteering your time to help others.
I’m sure you have other ideas that could be added here.
None of these acts will make the evening news, but they make heaven smile. They are the fruit of a faith that refuses to stay on the couch. They are little steps of love that add up to a life of faith in motion.
James says in his second chapter: “Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? … You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove.”
James reminds us that faith that never acts is just wishful thinking; faith that works is alive, visible, and transformative.
Does your faith have feet?
Prayer: God, don’t let me settle for faith in theory. Nudge me in directions you would have me go. Show me the steps you want me to take today and give me the courage to take them. Put my beliefs into motion, one act of love at a time. Amen.
