Faith and Works - Inseparable
Posted:04-07-2008The book of James emphasizes how our faith and works are inseparable. What we say and what we do should line up. Does the world see our words and actions as one? I recently read an article by Rick Rusaw which addresses this idea.
There is a movement creeping its way across churches of all shapes, sizes and denominations. It’s gaining ground, it’s getting attention, it’s making a difference, and it’s slowly changing church statistics. These churches are evaluating what really matters, and they are reaching skeptical, hurt, and broken people through serving. How are these churches changing the relationship between the church and their communities? How are they getting a skeptical society to hear them? They are externally focused, and this is what defines them:
• They are inwardly strong and outwardly focused.
• They integrate good deeds and good news into the life of the church.
• They value impact and influence in the community more than attendance.
• They seek to be salt, light, and leaven in the community.
• They see themselves as the “soul” of the community.
• They would be greatly missed by the community if they left.
Remember “Show and Tell” in the third grade? It seems as if the church has become more concerned with telling than showing. Christians will tell others what they need to do to be right with God, to be better people. Christians will proclaim what isn’t right with the world. Christians know how to tell about God’s love and why it is needed in people’s lives. For the most part, though, our churches have forgotten to show God’s love. And all too often, what we do show doesn’t match up with what we tell.
Today, whether we like it or not, we have to earn the right to be heard. It has been said many times that “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Showing through serving can help Christians and churches tell more effectively. The success of an externally focused church depends on getting involved in the community, creating authentic relationships, and being truly useful. In the process of showing, externally focused churches have discovered, again and again, that people are more willing to listen to their telling. Externally focused churches are convinced that good deeds and good news can’t and shouldn’t be separated.
In Christ,
