Active Faith

<p>Sam&rsquo;s father had to flee for his life during a military coup. With the sudden loss of income, the family could no longer afford the crucial medicine that kept Sam&rsquo;s brother alive. Seething at God, Sam thought, <em>What have we done to deserve this</em>?</p> <p>A follower of Jesus heard about the family&rsquo;s troubles. Finding he had enough money to cover the medicine, he bought a supply and took it to them. The life-saving gift from a stranger had a profound impact. &ldquo;This Sunday, we will go to this man&rsquo;s church,&rdquo; his mother declared. Sam&rsquo;s anger began to subside. And eventually, one by one, each member of the family would put their faith in Jesus.</p> <p>When James wrote about the necessity of a lifestyle of integrity accompanying a profession of faith in Christ, he singled out the need to care for others. &ldquo;Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food,&rdquo; James wrote. &ldquo;If one of you says to them, &lsquo;Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,&rsquo; but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?&rdquo; (2:16&ndash;17).</p> <p>Our actions demonstrate the genuineness of our faith. Significantly, those actions can influence the faith-choices of others. In Sam&rsquo;s case, he became a pastor and church-planter. Eventually he would call the man who helped his family &ldquo;Papa Mapes.&rdquo; He now knew him as his spiritual father&mdash;the one who showed them the love of Jesus.</p>