Exodus 22:21-27 puts together an interesting list of people: resident aliens (v. 21), widows (v. 22), orphans (v. 22) the poor (v. 25), neighbor (v. 26). Almost every day, I encounter at least one or two persons from that list. The writer of Exodus has named the most vulnerable in that society. (He must have sneaked ahead and looked at 2022. The list still makes sense.)
James 2:14-17 is a New Testament reminder that bopping along thinking that mere belief is enough is to miss a core reality. It isn’t faith in Jesus Christ unless it energizes works to help the hungry and the unclothed. In this passage, I hear an echo of Matthew 25:31-36. “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” And then Jesus gives the answer: “Truly, I tell you just as it did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Jesus does not give us much room in which to hide!
The United Methodist Church has a Social Creed that closes with this statement: ”We believe in the present and final triumph of God’s Word in human affairs and gladly accept our commission to manifest the life of the gospel in the world. Amen.” (The Book of Discipline 2016¸ para. 166)
Scripture is clear that faith is not just a warm relationship with God. Faith is empty (dead?) if it is not expressed in helping relationships with others. What does that look like? It looks like a food pantry for the needy. It looks like a prison ministry. It looks like a shut-in who prays every day for the needy. It looks like someone who asks the check-out clerk at the grocery store, “How are you doing?” It looks like an effort to control damage to the climate. It looks like an appeal to the legislature for fair tax laws. It looks like working to make life safer for the immigrant. It looks like a check mailed to a local charity. It looks like a friendship with someone who is shamed because of a disability, sexual orientation, age, or mental limitations. . There are about 8 billion people in the world...that’s a lot of “It looks like...”! Your list may look different from mine—we don’t always agree—but we cannot ignore James’ reminder about faith and works.
What Someone Else Has Said In Ordained Ministry in The United Methodist Church (GBHEM), William B. Lawrence has said: “It appears that the scriptural message pairs two principles. On the one hand, salvation is available not by law but only by grace, which comes through faith. On the other hand, faith is present with saving power only where it is practiced according to Christian discipline.”
Prayer: As you prepare this lesson, let your prayer begin: “Bring my faith alive, O Lord...”
