Our theme for this month: “Wisdom”
Our Bible verse for today: “Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works.” James 2:18 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Godly wisdom leads to a faith that is active.”
Far too many Christians practice a brand of Christianity that consists primarily of going to church on Sunday. They probably also throw in a few quick prayers each day, and maybe even a little Bible reading every once in a while, but that’s pretty much it. Theirs is a practice of the faith that consists mostly of a little habitual ritual, and it’s pretty superficial.
But that’s not the example of faith we’re given in the Bible. James especially calls believers to an active faith, a faith that is observable by the good works that grow out of it. That’s what he was writing about in 2:18. In the rest of his letter he addresses things like taking care of widows and orphans, feeding the hungry and clothing the poor, treating people fairly and with respect, and other very active, very intentional, acts of mercy and compassion, reconciliation and witness – all of which grow out of a deep and dynamic faith.
Being wise in the ways of God leads us to a faith that is active and observable in meaningful ways out in the world. Jesus called us to be “salt and light” where? In the pew on Sunday morning? No. Out in the world. It’s why Jesus also had high praise for those who visited the sick and the prisoners, fed the hungry, gave water to the thirsty, and clothed the naked. He even said that when we do things like that for others, He receives those acts as if we had done them directly to Him (Matthew 25:45). A major theme in both the Old and New Testaments is an active faith that makes a real difference in the lives of other people.
The other day I saw a street sign which read “We must take sides. Neutrality always favors the oppressor, never the victim.” That’s Biblical. It’s consistent with God’s desire for His people to stand up for those who are oppressed and mistreated. It’s similar to the old saying “All that’s required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.” Biblical wisdom doesn’t allow for us to sit idly by while others suffer – especially if we could do something about it but just don’t want to be bothered.
Biblically the truly wise person is not the hermit living in a cave on a mountaintop, and it’s not the Sunday morning saint who has little time the rest of the week for the things of God. As we continue to grow wiser and wiser in the ways of God we will discover that Biblical wisdom leads us to a very active faith that makes a real difference in the real world.
God Bless,
Oak Hill Baptist Church 