I have noticed a very common
saying recently in regard to the violence and killings that have made the
headlines. It is heard on TV, online and in the newspapers. The saying is ‘our
thoughts and prayers are with you’.
It
actually sounds really nice and many times it is the only thing people can come
up with when they do not know what else to say.
Unfortunately,
it only sounds good and does nothing to help make a difference or to cause
change.
So often people say this
because they do not know what else to do. I certainly believe in prayer to
ask God for peace and comfort for the people involved. I also believe in prayer
seeking guidance from God for things to do that will help make a change.
Yet
many people use this saying because they do not think they are able to do
anything to make a change, and often they do not want to make the effort
to make changes. So, they make themselves feel better by saying our
thoughts and prayers are with you.
In
James 2:16 we have a similar situation when people would say “go in peace,
be warmed and be filled,” and yet they did not give what was
necessary for their body, and what use was that? This falls right in
line with James 2:26 which says, for just as the body without the spirit
is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
Obviously
good works do not earn our salvation, but good works will be a result
of our salvation. To put it another way we can say that love
without works is dead. Saying you love someone but doing nothing
to show that love is not real love.
Using
good sounding words usually only makes the one saying it feel better. But
putting action to our words can make a difference and truly show love and
concern to those who are hurting.
