About Jesus

About Jesus
 “When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord  (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord” ),  and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” 
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  
Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,  
Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:22-32
Jesus is the most influential person in all of history. 
William Durant, popular American modern historian and philosopher (1885-1981) When asked what he felt the apex of history was he replied, “the three years that Jesus of Nazareth walked the earth.” 
Napoleon Bonaparte, said of Jesus,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.
I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. 
Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.
I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel.” Napoleon Bonaparte.
What these men say of Jesus is true.
Simeon the prophet said it best on the day Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to him, he said,
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” 
Jesus is all he said he is. He is the one and only Son of God. The Saviour of mankind.
Jesus is God reaching down to mankind and saying I love you. Come unto me and I will give you rest.
The Apostle John states,
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  
In him was life, and that life was the light of men.... 
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.  John 1:1-4,10-13.
The choice is yours what do you think of Jesus?
Please think about it.

Think about this

Think about this.
This message is written to believers by the Apostle John but it is the message Christians want the world to know,
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.  
If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.  
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. 
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.  He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 1:5-2:2
Jesus did in deed pay the price for our sins. Paul writes,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8.
Jesus offers us eternal life. It is a free gift to all who would believe. We do not have to work for it.
Paul states,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.”  Ephesians 2:8,9.
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12-13.
We Christians believe that you can indeed become Children of God. By simply believing that Jesus is indeed the Son of God and by confessing our sins to Him.
The choice to believe this however is up to you the reader.
Please think about it.

Fill the World with Love

Fill the world with Love

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast,

 it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,

 it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes,

 always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                                    1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13
The above is a quote from the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians. It to my mind is the purest definition of love ever written. It defines love perfectly.
Christian or not, one has to admit if there were more love in the world there would be less violence.
Love is about humility. Love, true Love, does not place any conditions on anyone.
For me as a Christian, Love is what I am called to do,
Jesus made three very important statements about love,
Jesus when asked,
 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘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.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 
                                                              Matthew 22:37-40.
In Matthew Jesus is quotes as saying
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”   Matthew 5:43.44.
When it comes to Love, true Love God set the example. John’s Gospel quotes Jesus as saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John3:16,17
Love is about giving of one’s self something I believe is quite often lacking in our world today.
Anne Frank a young girl hiding from the Nazi’s in World War two Holland wrote,
"Give of yourself, give as much as you can?  And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!  If everyone were to do this and not be as mean with a kindly word, then there would be much more justice and love in the world.  Give and you shall receive, much more than you would have ever thought possible.  Give, give again and again, don’t lose courage, keep it up and go on giving!  No one has ever become poor from giving!” Anne Frank
This is what love is all about.
When I was in my teens I watched a movie musical called “Good by Mr. Chips.” it’s theme song was called “Fill the World with Love”. The words still have meaning to me all these years later.

In the Morning of My Life

In the morning of my life

I will look to the Sunrise

At a moment in my life 

When the world is new.

And the Question

I shall ask only God can answer.

Will I be brave and strong and true,

Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?

Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?

In the evening of my life

I will look to the sunset

At a moment in my life 

When my life is through.

And the question I shall ask only I can answer 

Was I brave and strong and true.

Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

                                                                                    From the Musical
                                                                                Good By Mr. Chips
At the end of your life will you be able to say, “I filled the world with Love my whole Life through?
Please think about it.

To All

To all
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—   children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12,13
This is the uniqueness of Christian belief. We believe that faith in Christ gives us the right to become Children of God. According to the apostle John,
“children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” 
Christians lay this out for all people to accept or reject.
The Gospel of John also records these words of Jesus,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”  John 3:16-18.
If these words are false then no one is hurt by them. No one has anything to fear. But, if they are correct those who do not believe them have a lot to consider if not fear.
As C. S. Lewis put it,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” C. S. Lewis
Please think about it.

The Journey

The Journey
The Psalmist writes,

"Where can I go from your Spirit?  

Where can I flee from Your presence?  

If I go up to the heavens, 

You are there; 

if I make my bed in the depth,

 You are there. 

 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, 

if I settle on the far side of the sea, 

even there Your hand will guide me.  

Your right hand will hold me fast."

                                                                               Psalm 139:7-10

C. S. Lewis put it this way,
“We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade, the presence of God.” 
                                                                                                    C.S.Lewis.
Do you believe in God? Perhaps a better question is are you willing to risk your eternal resting place on what you believe?
From the moment we are born we start a journey toward eternity. I believe that throughout that journey God places sign posts directing us to him. All we have to do is read them correctly and do what they say. If we do not we are bound for destruction.
The following is from a book called Images I place it hear for you to think about,
                                                        Ticket”

                                                      “Where am I?
                                                        What, am...
                                                       I doing here?”

                                                       “You are her.”
                                                    Says the Conductor.
                                                    “Your ticket please.”

                                                     “I bought no ticket.
                                                       I took no ride.
                                                         Where am I?”

      “Your ride is over,        You are here.         All take the ride.
        Your ticket’s paid for, Says the Conductor    You are here.
       Your ticket please,        Please your ticket.     Your ticket. Please


                                 “I took no ride!
                                                         Where am I?
                                                      I demand to know!

                                                         I took no...
                                                           ride...?
                                                           Am I...?”

                                                        “You are here.
                                                        All take the ride.
                                                      The ticket paid for,
                                                         With My blood.

                                                          “I am here...
                                                       I have no ticket...
                                                          And you are...”

                                                              “Jesus.”
John’s Gospel records,
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
Jesus speaking of himself said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. John 3:16-18.
The choice is yours. You whether you like it or not, are on a journey into eternity. The question is here will you spend it.
As a Christian I believe the way to heaven is through the saving grace God offers in Jesus Christ. If I am wrong those who disagree with Christians have nothing to fear. If I am right at the very least those who disagree with Christians have something to be concerned about.
C. S. Lewis said,
"Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important." C. S. Lewis
Please think about it.

The Hidden Souls

The Hidden Souls
                                                          The Fourth Man
It’s five thirty-nine, dawn has not yet broken on this cold winter’s morning.  All around the suburban landscape lies covered, within a blanket of new fallen snow.
On the roads, the morning commute is slowly beginning.  As of yet, however, there are few cars.  All around, there is a peace.  Almost, like the calm before the storm.
Two cars, pull off the street and into the empty church parking lot.  Their tires making the snow squeak, as they move over it.  Coming to a halt, the occupants, three middle-aged men climb out, greet each other, and enter the church.
Before the altar, in the silence of the sanctuary, each man kneels.
Within this holy place, the presence of God is so very real.  His Holy power can be felt as it fills the temple.
I who have attended this church for over thirty years have never felt God’s presence so strongly.
From my vantage point in the balcony I watch as all three are raptured leaving me...   Alone.
If you claim to be Christian do you think that something like what is described in the above story can’t happen? Then think again.
Jesus said,
“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  
As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  
For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  
Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.  
Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” Matthew 24:36-42.
As Christians we must remain true to God. True to Christ.
There are many within our churches that have gone to church all their lives yet lack faith in God. They believe in God intellectually and they will tell you they believe but they have never truly turned their life over to God. To them church is where their family and friends are. It is essentially a social club.
Such people know what the bible says. They know how to act in church they know what to say. They know all the Hymns and songs sung at church. Sadly however they have never made true commitment to God.
These are what I have heard someone say are the hidden lost souls within church congregations.
They are perhaps the hardest people to reach. Yet they like anyone outside the walls of our church congregations need to make a commitment to God, a commitment to Jesus that goes beyond intellectual acknowledgement.
As Christians we need to be praying for such people. We need to be praying that God will show us who these people are and how we can reach them for Christ.
One other thing I would ask anyone who believes themselves to Christian is this, Are you truly committed to Christ? Is your faith rooted in God, or are you simply giving intellectual consent to the fact there is a God. There is a real difference.
Please think about it.

Nothing Hidden

Nothing Hidden
The writer of Hebrews states,
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12,13.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade, the presence of God.” C. S. Lewis
Whether you believe in God or not you as an individual will be held accountable by God’s standards.
I believe God has placed in the heart and minds of all men the basic standards to which He expects the individual to live by.
I also believe the more you know about God the more your will be held accountable for.
Thus those who studies the scriptures will be held to a higher level of accountability than those who do not.
This should serve as a warning to all those who believe themselves to be Christians. Men and women who read the Bible.
If we are studying the Bible then we will learn what God expects of us and must obey. Additionally we must be careful to correctly interpret what the bible says. We must not manipulate scriptures to say what we want them to say.
In reading the Bible we may read many things we do not like. As a result we may be quick to dismiss them and not obey. This must not be so. We cannot cherry pick what we wish to believe.
St. Augustine said,
“If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don’t like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.” St Augustine.
Ultimately I believe we all will stand in front of God. The writer of Ecclesiastes said,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
This I firmly believe applies to all people everywhere. Especially those who call themselves Christians.
Please think about it.

A Pointy Stick

A Pointy Stick
Scripture tells us,
 “Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.” Psalm 100:3 
I am told by friends that at times I like to poke people, particularly those in the Christian community, figuratively with a pointy stick this is one of those time.
In my previous blog I told the story of my nice who had sexual realignment surgery to become a male. Something that some Christians would disagree with.
 In this post I take it a step further. With the intent of making you the reader truly search your heart and mind as to what you would do and why.
The story is called Images of a woman.

Images of a Woman
That morning, Margaret Elizabeth got up extra early, readying herself for the day.  She would get only one chance to make an impression.  To that end, she applied her makeup with extra care.  Chose the black ankle length wraparound skirt, white turtle neck top and black jacket, her children had given her as a gift, while in hospital.  She limited her jewelry to a simple pair of diamond studded earrings, that had been her grandmother’s and small bracelet given to her by her daughter-in-law.
That done she took the ten minute drive to the modest size church she attended. Meeting with the pastor in the office.
For a few minutes they talked and passed the time of day. Then seeing the time she proceeded to the pulpit.
Leaving that office, to walk to the pulpit was the hardest step, she ever had to make.  Her heart pounded and by the time, she stood behind the pulpit she was visibly shaking.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Margaret Elizabeth Williamson and just before Christmas, I underwent Sexual Reassignment Surgery.” she said relief surging through her body, as silence engulfed the assembly.  I know that many of you, maybe uncomfortable with that.  That is why I have asked to speak to you, to give you my testimony and then allow you to ask questions.
I have felt like a woman trapped in a man’s body for my entire life.  I was married for over thirty years to a wonderful and accepting woman, who died several years prior to my coming to this assembly.  I have a wonderful family, all of whom support me and are here today.
Believe me, I did not choose this course of action lightly.  I did so after much personal anguish and a great deal of prayer.
For a little over two years prior to my complete transition, I have lived my life as a woman: I was doing so when I came to this church and I think I did it well enough that no one knew.  If they did no one commented.
I have no apologies to give for what I did, or who I am, because I do not believe I did anything wrong.
I accepted Jesus as my Saviour over thirty-five years ago, and asked Him to remove from me what at times, has been a difficult burden.  He has chosen not to and thus, I have accepted that I am what I am.  A child of God, who knew me according to the Psalms in my mother’s womb.
I have no intentions of preaching a sermon here today, only to ask you to accept me as I am.  In fact, the only reason I stand before you today, is because I was asked to come onto the staff of this church and wish to be completely honest with you.
Now, I will open the door to all questions and endeavor to answer them to the best of my ability.  After which, I will ask for a vote and abide by your decision.”
There were many questions answered. Then finally the pastor came to the front.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now time to take a vote.”  He said.  “If you wish Margaret Elizabeth to become a part of our pastoral staff, please rise to your feet.”
How would you vote? Why?
Please think about it.

My Job

My Job

The Psalmist writes

,“For you created my inmost being; 

you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

I praise you 

because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 

your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 

My frame was not hidden from you 

when I was made in the secret place. 

When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

 your eyes saw my unformed body. 

All the days ordained for me were written in your book 

before one of them came to be.” 

                                                                              Psalm 139:13-16

A few months ago I met Sean for the first time at his mothers funeral. I’d known Sean however for over thirty-eight years. You see Sean at one time was Anne my wife’s nice. She underwent Sexual reassignment surgery sometime ago transitioning to Sean.
As Anne/Sean, had always had problems regarding who she was. As a result she’d dabbled in drugs, had been part of a lesbian relationship, all to no avail.
Finally one day she realized what was wrong and started the long process of psychological evaluation and eventually surgery to become Sean.
We were able to spend sometime with Sean and I asked him, “are you happy?” to which he replied, “Very happy and very content.”
I could see in his eyes he was being honest. Even though we were at the funeral of his mother a sad time, I could see that the very confused young woman I’d known for so long was in deed not only happy but content young man.
I know many calling themselves Christians would not agree with what Sean did. That is between them and God.
What Sean did, did not change who he was on the inside. The transition did not change Sean as a person. Sean is still Sean an individual loved by God. And that is how we must look on anyone as and individual loved by God.
The scripture I quoted at the beginning of this blog post tells me God knows the individual on if you will a genetic level. He knows what makes us what we are.
God does not see just what is on the outside of a person but what is on the inside. That is why God and God alone can judge the individual not man.
We as Christians must accept people for who they are, an individual loved by God, unconditionally. We must accept all people without judgement.
Billy Graham the American evangelist said it best,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge 

and my job to love, 

                            Billy Graham

Please think about it.

Stewards for Christ

Stewards for Christ
The apostle Paul wrote,

“Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ 

and stewards of the mysteries of God. 

Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”

                                                                                                  1Corinthians 4:1,2.

  As Christians we are stewards of Christ. While a servant had no unique position within his masters household, a steward did.
A steward was a slave who administered all the affairs of his masters household. He owned nothing himself, but was entrusted by his master to handle all of the what the master owned. Joseph in the Old Testament was Potiphar’s steward (Genesis 39:2-19).
Just as Joseph was faithful to Potiphar and did his best to administer Potiphar’s estate so must we as Christians be good stewards of Christ’s estate.
As Christians we are called to administer the word correctly. The apostle Paul writing to Timothy said,

“Do your best to present yourself to God 

as one approved, 

a workman who does not need to be ashamed 

and who correctly handles the word of truth....”

                                                                       2 Timothy 2:15.

We must remember that everything we do, is done for Christ, not for our personal gain or glory.
We as Christians must study the scriptures carefully and present them carefully and correctly to those around us, Christian and non-Christian alike.
That is what it is to be a follower of Christ.
Please think about it.

An Observation

An Observation
The Psalmist wrote,

“The fool says in his heart, 

“There is no God.” 

                                      Psalm 14:1.

Billy Graham the great American Evangelist said,
“I can't prove it scientifically, that there's a God, but I believe.”
                                                                                        Billy Graham.
I’m with Billy Graham on this. We may not be able to sit down and make a scientific formula that proves the existence of God. That however doesn’t preclude his existence.
We can however see God’s handiwork. The Psalmist telling us,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” 

                                                             Psalm 19:1.

I do not believe that the universe came into existence randomly that takes more faith than I have. I can however see the hand of God the creator in the universe.
Just take a look around from the largest galaxies to the smallest subatomic particle every thing is perfectly harmonized to create life as we know it. This to me suggests there is a creator.
I’m not hung up on whether God created the world in billions of years or in six days. Such a thing is immaterial to my faith.
The fact of the matter is I believe God exists and the more I see and observe the world around me the more I see His hand.
Furthermore I believe the God that created the heavens and the earth entered this world in the form of His one and only Son Jesus Christ. He did this in order to point mankind to heaven.
Yes I know this sounds at the very least foolishness but I believe it is true. The Apostle Paul wrote.

“For the message of the cross is foolishness

 to those who are perishing, 

but to us who are being saved 

it is the power of God.” 

                                  1 Corinthians 1:18.

I think all too often man want’s God to operate the way he thinks things should be done. God however does not do this. God works in his own ways.
It would be very easy for God to show himself and force everyone to worship Him but God does not want that. In creating mankind he made each individual unique, with a freewill to do as they wished even if it meant not believing in Him.
God requires the individual to have faith in him. The writer of Hebrews stating,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.” 

                                                       Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe 

that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

                                                                           Hebrews 11:6.

God I believe has shown Himself to mankind in various ways, the creation of the universe being just one way, the Hebrew prophets was another, the Bible yet another, and even by entering the Universe he created in the form of his one and only Son Jesus Christ.
The writer of Hebrews telling us,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3  
This is what I and all Christians believe. The choice however is entirely up to you the reader.
Please think about it.

Of Faith and Deeds

Of Faith and Deeds
James the half brother of Jesus said,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:14-20.
I have found over the years some who claim to be believers in Christ quote the words of Paul who said,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.
They say something to the effect, “I believe it so I’m saved I have nothing more to do.”. nothing could be further from the fact.
James in the scripture I quoted above tells us “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”
Jesus said,
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,  
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 25:34-46.
As Christians we cannot do things lightly. It is a command of Jesus to reach out to the world around us. To help those who poor and needy both in a physical sense and in a spiritual sense.
Martin Luther King jr. once prayed,
“We thank thee for thy Church, founded upon thy Word, that challenges us to do more  than sing and pray, but go out and work as though the very answer to our prayers depended on us and not upon thee.” Martin Luther King jr. 
This is what we, if we claim to be believers in Christ should be doing. Our faith should spur us on to help those in need.
Francis of Assisi said,
“We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way.” Francis of Assisi.
If you claim to be a believer in Christ is this what you are doing?
Please think about it.