像玩保龄球
你若玩过保龄球，你便知道一个全倒的真正好戏是在后头。一个全倒本身可获得10分，但真正的关键在乎你在随后的两次发球中能够击倒多少个瓶子。好的发球技术能够把先前的全倒变为30分呢！
凭信心生活和作门徒的也差不多是这样的，贯彻到底是至关重要。听闻福音是一回事，但欣然接受福音的信息和被福音的信息改变却是两回事。得蒙赦免是一件美事，然而能够把这赦罪之恩传开去的人们，将会有更丰盛的福气等待着他们。蒙神欢迎加入神的家固然是大喜的事，邀请和欢迎其他人加入却能带来更大的喜乐。
雅各说的善行就是那些“跟进的发球”，它们能够倍增和扩大信心的恩赐 － 它们重要到一个程度，甚至会因缺乏跟进而毁了原有的信心。
在这个月，我们一直在思想神对穷人的关怀以及这对我们的意义。认识贫穷是一回事，但相信神呼召我们以怜悯服事人却是另一回事。能够以帮助穷人和有需要的人作为跟进的行动，才是名符其实的认识和相信神的呼召。
归根究底，你若只在思想和言语上关心一个饥饿的人，对他有什么益处呢？
神啊，你以你的话语来教导我们，又在耶稣身上让我们看见我们应怎样生活，我们感谢你。求你叫我们因耶稣的缘故以善行来活出我们的信心。阿们。
雅各书 2:14-19
14我的弟兄们，若有人说自己有信心，却没有行为，有什么益处呢？这信心能救他吗？
15若是弟兄或是姐妹赤身露体，又缺了日用的饮食，
16你们中间有人对他们说“平平安安地去吧，愿你们穿得暖、吃得饱”，却不给他们身体所需用的，这有什么益处呢？
17这样，信心若没有行为就是死的。
18必有人说：“你有信心，我有行为。”你将你没有行为的信心指给我看，我便藉着我的行为，将我的信心指给你看。
19你信神只有一位，你信的不错！鬼魔也信，却是战惊。
Like Bowling
"Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." - James 2:17
If you have ever gone bowling, you know that the real value of a strike lies in what follows. A strike by itself is worth 10 points, but the real benefit lies in the pins you knock down in the next two throws. Throwing well could make that first strike worth 30 points!
The life of faith and discipleship is something like that. Following up is all-important. It is one thing to hear the gospel, and it is quite another to embrace the gospel fully and be transformed by it. It is wonderful to receive forgiveness, and yet a richer blessing awaits all who extend that forgiveness to others. It is a joy to be welcomed into the family of God, and even greater joy comes with inviting and welcoming others.
The good deeds that James is talking about are “follow-up throws” that multiply and expand the gift of faith—so much so that failing to follow up can render that faith lifeless.
We’ve been reflecting on God’s heart for the poor and what that means for us. Learning about poverty is one thing. Believing that we are called to compassionate service is another. And following up with action for the poor and others in need makes knowing and believing genuine.
After all, what good does it do a hungry person if all you give are caring thoughts and words?
God, we thank you for teaching us in your Word and showing us in Jesus how to live. Make our faith alive in good deeds for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
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