We have been in a study of the book of James in Third Place Youth for a few weeks now, I’m not ready to say it’s my favorite book yet, but it’s stock is climbing quickly. Anyway there is a verse in chapter 2 that has reached out and captivated me. James 2:26 says,
Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.
This is very interesting to me. So in-essence your good works is the oxygen to your spirit man. Think about that! You can say you have faith and believe in God, you may know all the religious church stuff, and still be a weak christian, gasping for breath. Your no less of a believer, but your also not a health believer.
I know of an awesome lady, she’s in her 70′s, but just an amazing person. In all of her awesomeness she does have one big issue… emphysema. She just doesn’t breath right. Her lungs have big problems. If you’ve ever known any one with this terrible disease you know how hard it is for them. She is very limited in what she can do, how far she go, and how much activity she can handle. Everywhere she goes she must take an oxygen tank and be careful not to “over do it”. She’s no less of a human, but she is not whole and complete. This is how we make our selves when we don’t have the “good works” to go with our faith. We limit our selves in what we can do, how far we can go, and how much activity we can handle. Those seemingly insignificant acts of kindness deliver the oxygen needed to your faith lungs! They make your make your faith muscles strong, and turn your spirit into a vibrant living creature.
If you’ve been depressed, or just felt weak and down and out, go do something “good” for someone. Your spirit probably just needs some oxygen!
p.thad
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That was awesome! The analogy was perfect too.