Quicksie 98.3

Our actions should characterize a Christ-centered life and stems from a relationship with Jesus. It bears witness to Christ and carries on His work wherever we are, in all we say and do. It is through these actions that we share God’s grace.

“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.” James 2:14-17

Let’s look at the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke chapter 10.

“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him up, and went off, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, but when he saw the injured man, he passes by on the other side. So too a Levite, when he came up to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan who was traveling came to where the injured man was, and when he saw him, he felt compassion for him. He went up to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever else you spend, I will repay you when I come back this way.’ Which of these three do you think became a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?”

Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus tells us, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”

The priests were the religious leaders of the time, while the Levites were the teachers, judges, and caretakers of the temple. The Samaritans, on the other hand, were like you and me. Notice how Jesus says the Samaritan felt compassion. He didn’t only care for the man’s wounds but went above and beyond by giving the man a ride on his animal, likely meaning the Samaritan had to walk. He then puts the man in an inn and pays for his care. Some even say the two silver coins were all the money the Samaritan had. The good Samaritan is the perfect example of what Christian Action looks like, bearing the witness of Christ.

“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” James 2:26

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