Faith In Jesus Puts Love Into Action

"Today's Devotion" For September 6, 2005

Read: I John 3:16-20; James 2: 14-26

FAITH IN JESUS PUTS LOVE INTO ACTION

"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."(I Jn. 3:18)

In our everyday existence, there is, perhaps, no greater lip-service paid than to the idea of loving and serving others. In every major American city we find soup kitchens, rescue missions, homeless shelters and other such agencies which serve the needs of those "down on their luck" and the poor. For the most part, very few people pay much attention to the work of the few who provide such services. The occasional appeal may bring gifts of food, money, clothing, and short-term volunteers. Yet, the situations that lead to people's continued existence in poverty and despair continue. There's no doubt that better education, better health care, better work training, and better spiritual care can be key to people moving from despair to hope.

Amid the images of devastation, despair, and death in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina there have been glimpses of people putting their comfort and safety on the line to bring people to safety and restore some hope into their lives. This morning's local newspaper had an article about a local team of trained search and rescue volunteers who borrowed two boats, drove 1,000 miles, and spent the long weekend rescuing 51 people who were stranded by the flood waters. We regularly hear about the good service provided by the Red Cross, but now we're also hearing more about The Salvation Army because the "Army's" regular, everyday service is on the front lines of meeting the needs of the poverty stricken, the despairing, and the homeless. Countless other church agencies - Lutheran World Relief, Catholic Relief and others - which normally go unnoticed and unannounced have been joining efforts to provide aid to the victims of the hurricane. Everywhere, in the midst of this calamity, from individuals to organizations, Christians, motivated by God's love in Jesus Christ, are leaving their lives of creature comfort and putting themselves at risk to love their neighbors in Jesus' name. Faith is being put into action in ways we don't normally think about.

In the midst of the devastation of Sin, Death, and Satan, God put Himself and His love on the line for all of us. Faced with the horrors of what Sin, Death, and Satan were wreaking on His creation, God promised to send a Savior to redeem the world, save His people, and bring them into a new life. His promise has its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, Whose suffering, death, and resurrection continues to bring hope, peace, and joy into a hopeless and despairing world. With lives renewed and restored to hope and joy the people of God, fully forgiven of all their sins, live out lives of love and service to others. While we see, front and center, the remarkable and courageous sacrifices made by God's people in the face of the current disaster relief efforts, we are also reminded that such acts of love are the foundation of our very existence as members of the Body of Christ. With God's help, motivated by His love, and filled with the peace of His full forgiveness of sins in Christ, we daily carry out acts of love and sacrifice for the sake of others. Filled with His Spirit, we hear the Apostle's encouragement and carry it out, "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." That's our witness and our service in the face of Jesus' great love and sacrifice for us. Can we do any less?

Prayer: Father, forgive me for those times when I have looked down my nose at the less fortunate, the poor and needy, those who are hurting and those who are alone. Forgive me for those times when I push such people away, even my fellow Christians, and think that someone else should help, not me. Thank You for those who have given the extra effort to give of themselves, whether prayer, gifts of food, clothing, money, or shelter to the despairing and homeless as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Thank You for giving me such examples of Christian love to see and follow. Help me to grow more courageous in my faith that I might more fully let Jesus shine through my actions as I touch the lives of other in service and love. In the precious name of Jesus' I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

[SPECIAL NOTE: In the reading from James for today please note something of great importance. When James is speaking about faith - vv. 14-20, 24, 26 - he's referring to the mere, intellectual acceptance that God exists, not the faith in Christ that saves the sinner. We note that James calls such faith demonic (v.19), useless (v.20), and dead (v.26). Such "faith" is empty. True faith in Christ completes and shows itself in works of love.]