Christians agree there is a disconnect between the instruction scripture offers and how God’s people are behaving. The tricky part is that when it comes to connecting word and deed everyone thinks they are doing it right. I recently witnessed someone bring a prophetic word on this topic in a ministry setting. As is the nature of prophetic words, it was equal parts challenging and inspiring. The message brought to mind James 2:14-17:
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
It’s an uncomfortable passage to read, isn’t it? But that’s the point. We too often get comfortable with what we believe and forget to translate word into deed. We need to be shaken up.
Connecting Word and Deed
If you want a challenge for your ministry to better connect scripture to action, read carefully through the book of James. Read it as it if it written directly to you and to your ministry. Look for the actions—the deeds—we you are called to. To what can you point in response? Do you have deeds? If not, consider the health of your faith.
This issue gets to the core of matters: what we say vs. what we do. We might be espousing the right things in our ministries, but does our behavior (as a leader and as a congregation) line up with it? If we say we are about serving widows and orphans (James 1:27), to what evidence can we point? If we saw we are about accomplishing the Great Commission, what fruit—or even good faith efforts—do we see?
As we set the direction and goals for our ministries, we want to avoid the trap of what Jesus told people about the Pharisees: So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. (Matthew 23:3-40)
Resources
The Guide for Discipling was written to help people connect to God and help them actively engage the world around them through the lens of their faith. The first two studies, Experiencing God and Spiritual Responsiveness are foundational. They are also applicable to people at any stage in their faith journey. The curriculum is available in several formats, you can view them all HERE.
Experiencing God: Intentionally and consistently engaging with God in such a way that you open yourself to a deeper understanding of him and deeper relationship with him.
Spiritual Responsiveness: Actively listening to the Holy Spirit and taking action according to what you are hearing.
Sacrificial Service: Doing good works even when it’s costly, inconvenient or challenging.
Generous Living: Faithfully stewarding what God has given you so you can contribute toward the advancement of the Kingdom.
Disciplemaking: Living in obedience to the great commission given by Jesus, which entails making more and better followers of Christ.
Personal Transformation: Changing your attitudes and behaviors in positive ways as a result of your relationship with God and others.
Authentic Relationships: Engaging with other people in ways that reflect the heart of God toward them.
Community Transformation: Personal involvement with others to facilitate positive change where you live and beyond
Photo by RDNE Stock project