This Church: turning faith into caring action
Daily Scripture
Isaiah 58:5-8, James 1:22-25, 2:14-17
DID YOU KNOW?
John Wesley and the early Methodists took seriously Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan, the parable of the sheep and the goats, and all the prophetic words indicating that God didn’t care how much we prayed and read scripture and worshiped if we didn’t work to see justice roll down like a river and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. *
Isaiah 58
5 Is this the kind of fast I choose,
a day of self-affliction,
of bending one’s head like a reed
and of lying down in mourning clothing and ashes?
Is this what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD?
6 Isn’t this the fast I choose:
releasing wicked restraints, untying the ropes of a yoke,
setting free the mistreated,
and breaking every yoke?
7 Isn’t it sharing your bread with the hungry
and bringing the homeless poor into your house,
covering the naked when you see them,
and not hiding from your own family?
8 Then your light will break out like the dawn,
and you will be healed quickly.
Your own righteousness will walk before you,
and the LORD’S glory will be your rear guard.
James 1
22 You must be doers of the word and not only hearers who mislead themselves. 23 Those who hear but don’t do the word are like those who look at their faces in a mirror. 24 They look at themselves, walk away, and immediately forget what they were like. 25 But there are those who study the perfect law, the law of freedom, and continue to do it. They don’t listen and then forget, but they put it into practice in their lives. They will be blessed in whatever they do.
James 2
14 My brothers and sisters, what good is it if people say they have faith but do nothing to show it? Claiming to have faith can’t save anyone, can it? 15 Imagine a brother or sister who is naked and never has enough food to eat. 16 What if one of you said, “Go in peace! Stay warm! Have a nice meal!”? What good is it if you don’t actually give them what their body needs? 17 In the same way, faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
Both Isaiah and James strongly challenged empty religious rituals that didn’t lead to caring action. Isaiah said people’s fasting meant nothing if they ignored hungry, homeless, and oppressed people around them. James compared hearing God’s word without acting on it to looking in a mirror and immediately forgetting what you saw. He said real faith always shows itself in practical action. This Biblical theme is why Church of the Resurrection emphasizes putting faith into action through serving others. It’s not an optional add-on but a sign of authentic faith.
- James used the stark example of sending away hungry or cold people with only words of blessing to show how faith without action falls short. When you see needs in your community—hunger, homelessness, loneliness, addiction or other challenges—what specific actions does Resurrection take to help meet those needs? (If you don’t know, click here.) In what ways are you, or could you become, involved in turning your faith into practical action?
- Isaiah pointed out that God wants religious practices (like fasting or prayer) to open your eyes to see and respond to human suffering around you. What are the main spiritual practices (e.g. prayer, worship, Bible reading) you make a part of your life? How do they shape the way you notice and respond to needs in your community? What is one change that could make your practices more action-oriented?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you didn’t just wish me well—you acted to save me. Guide me into a life that draws on and mirrors your practical action as I serve as your hands to help and uplift others. Amen.
GPS Insights
Melanie Hill
Melanie Hill, who serves as the Director of Operations at Resurrection's West location, wrote today’s Insight. She is a Navy mom and mom of three teen daughters, a wife of 24 years, and an avid fan of nachos.
I have a lot to be thankful for this year. I haven’t always felt that way, though. As newlyweds and young parents there were weeks where the paycheck just didn’t stretch as far as we needed. There were seasons where I felt alone and wondered where God’s voice was in the darkness. There were the times when we moved to a new town and didn’t have friends or neighbors to celebrate with. Sometimes it has been harder to name the things I am thankful for.
On this Thanksgiving eve morning as I sat sipping a warm caffeinated beverage and going over the game plan for Thanksgiving dinner, my mind wandered to all the things I am grateful for. It’s natural for many of us this time of year. Right off the bat I am thankful for my family and the mom in me is especially thrilled to have all her chicks home for the holiday. I’m thankful for my husband who has agreed to put up the outside Christmas lights today. And I’m thankful for good friends, neighbors and co-workers.
As I read through the passages today, I was reminded of all the ways that God invites us into the work He is doing in the world; the privilege to be called co-laborers with Christ. An invitation, nay expectation, that I have taken for granted sometimes. My guess is we all have. It’s easy to skim the surface of bare expectations of our faith. It’s comfortable. It’s easy. James and Isaiah remind us that we were made for more.
It’s this expectation of action in our faith that I have found the most reason for gratitude in my life–gratitude that someone else lived fully into this calling and how I have been blessed by it. So many times, I have been on the receiving end of someone living fully and faithfully into the call to live out their faith.
–The time that I was so stressed about finances and an envelope appeared on my desk anonymously with gift cards that got us through.
–The time someone took the time to invite me to coffee to see how I was doing.
–The teacher who taught the class that inspired me in my faith and introduced me to a deeper walk with Jesus.
We were not made to sit on the sidelines of our faith. We are called to step boldly into the service of others and our communities. That looks different for each of us but on this Thanksgiving eve I know that I am especially grateful for the faithful followers in my life who answered that call and who have blessed my life. I pray that in return I can be a blessing to someone else. As John Wesley put it “I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.”
As you count your blessings this Thanksgiving may you be reminded that so many of them came as a result of someone answering the call to live out their faith. May we be encouraged by their example to do the same.
Happy Thanksgiving!
© 2024 Resurrection: A United Methodist Church. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* Adam Hamilton, notes in preparation for November 24, 2024 sermon.
