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You must be in fellowship prior to your Bible study, so that the spiritual information you receive can become a source, of blessing to your soul and produce spiritual growth.
James 2:15-17
15 If [ean][de] a brother [adelphos] or [e] sister [adelphe] be [huparcho] naked [gumnos], and [kai] destitute [leipo][o] of daily [ephemeros] food [trophe],
16 And [de] one [tis] of [ek] you [humon] say [epo] unto them [autos], Depart [hupago] in [en] peace [eirene], be ye
warmed [thermaino] and [kai] filled [chortazo];
notwithstanding [de] ye give [didomi] them [autos] not [me] those things which are needful [epitedeios] to the body [soma]; what [tis] doth it profit [ophelos]?
17 Even [kai] so [houto] faith [pistis], if [ean
me] it hath [echo] not
[ean me] works [ergon], is [esti] dead [nekros], being alone [kata][heautou].KJV-Interlinear
15 If a brother or sister is
without clothing and in need of daily food,16 and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,'
and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is
that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.NASB
Doing nothing in life, gets you nothing.That is the long and short explanation of the
principle in this verse.
If some one is in need and you give them nothing, if
there are charity needs in the world, and you do nothing to contribute, if
there is a need to support the teaching of the Word of God, and you do nothing,
then what is it that you do that will help any of these?
Doing nothing is not an answer, and not an alternative
to fulfilling your daily spiritual obligations.
God knows all of your personal needs and desires, but
then God also has given you obligations in life.To whom much is given (the entire realm of
your spiritual life, which is infinite), then much is expected.
Too often, people will make up excuses, or turn their
attentions elsewhere.They do not help
because they are selfish, reasoning that the recipient does not really need
their support, can get their support from somewhere else, that there are more
than enough public services, or other people that will take up for your slack.
After all, no one is giving you anything, so why
should you share your hard earned (and limited) money or resources?
God does not make us all millionaires, and God does
not expect all of us to give in the millions.Giving aid or support with what little we have, is not a function of
quantity, but of attitude.
Selfishness and greed put up barriers, over which we
can easily find excuses, to not be responsible.It matters not if the person standing on the corner is wealthy and just
trying to scam the public.God will deal
with him in an appropriate fashion.Our
obligation is to help those in need, to support those functions that we know
require it, and not question their need or available resources.
We always have an underlying presumption that our gift
of support will be handled appropriately and as God intends.We never give with strings attached.We never support with a right to examine
where the dollars go.That is
arrogance.Judging is never our right.
But the lesson here is your faith.Will you say all of the right things, but do
nothing, or will your words, be fulfilled with deeds?
In James' example here, the people in need, who have
poor clothing and from all appearances have a genuine need, do not need words
to help them, but clothing, food, and money.To tell someone to 'Go with God, an be warmed by that thought.' is the
quintessence of arrogance and rudeness.
Your faith is given just as much help and credit, as
your 'nothing' gift to those folks.
Faith, or spiritual growth, must be accompanied with
spiritual deeds.Otherwise, you have no
growth.
And by the way, you can apply this principle to all of
the obligations, which God places on you, beginning with your daily Bible study
obligation.Growth is accompanied by
obedience to Gods mandates.
The three fundamental components of the spiritual life
are - fellowship through confession, daily study, and application to ones daily
life.
Now is the time to post a prayer.
End Of Lesson
Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth.
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