and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? - James 2v16
James uses the setting of the rich and poor man to introduce a vital concept of true faith. It is a pretty simple concept – true faith always works. In this illustrate it makes no sense to say to the poor man, ‘All the best now, take care of yourself’ while not doing anything about his real needs.
What a waste. To say something and do nothing about it is evidence that there is nothing real there. The illustrate leads into the teaching of faith and works. Where there are no works the faith is not real. Where there are no works, there really is no faith.
It is not really a hard concept to grasp. Faith, which does not produce the fruit of works, is a dead and useless faith. Just like the guy who says he cares about the poor, does nothing about it.
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