Ladies and gentlemen, today I'm fired up because we're tackling an issue that's been brewing in many of our churches. I call it the "good person committee." These are the folks who want everyone to know just how good they are, but their deeds often fall short of their claims. They're all about appearances, not genuine goodness. So let's dive into this, my friends, because it's time we get real.
Our guiding light today comes from the book of James, Chapter 2, verses 14-17:
"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
Now, let me make myself abundantly clear. Talking about how good you are doesn't mean much if your actions don't back it up. You can't just say, "I'm a good person," and expect that to be enough. That's not what our faith is about. James tells us that faith without works is dead. It's empty. It's worthless.
So, why is it that we see so many members of the "good person committee" in our churches? Well, it's because they want recognition. They want everyone to see how wonderful they are, but they're often more interested in their reputation than in genuinely helping others.
You see, friends, faith isn't a performance for others to applaud. It's a calling to serve, to love, and to make a real difference in people's lives. When we focus on appearances and accolades, we miss the point entirely.
The key takeaway from this episode is this: it's time to move beyond appearances. It's time to stop talking about how good we are and start showing it through our actions. Let's heed the words of James and ensure that our faith is alive and vibrant, not just an empty claim.
Join me, Pastor Loren Christensen of Danish Countryside Chapel, for the next episode of "A Word from the Vine" as we continue to uncover the truth about the "good person committee" and how we can redirect our efforts towards genuine goodness. It's time to get real, my friends. It's time to live out our faith through our deeds.
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