Weigh Yourself on These Scales!

“Faith without deeds is dead.” Jas 2:26 NIV

One day a man trying to lose weight stepped on the bathroom scales. His wife asked, “How are you doing?” He replied, “Okay, just one problem; according to these scales I ought to be eight inches taller.” When it comes to demonstrating true discipleship, James puts us all on the scales: (1) When it comes to feeding the hungry: “Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, ‘Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well’—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is…useless” (vv. 15-17 NLT). (2) When it comes to loving people and treating them with respect: “Suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, ‘You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor’—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?” (vv. 2-4 NLT). (3) When it comes to caring for the needy: “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress” (Jas 1:27 NLT). Get your doctrine out of the deep freeze! Take your theology off the drawing board and start using it in a practical way. Come on—weigh yourself on these scales.

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