How was our ancestor Abraham put right with God? It was through his actions, when he offered his son Isaac on the altar. Can’t you see? His faith and his actions worked together; his faith was made perfect through his actions. And the scripture came true that said, "Abraham believed God, and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous." And so Abraham was called God’s friend. You see, then, that it is by his actions that a person is put right with God, and not by his faith alone.

It was the same with the prostitute Rahab. She was put right with God through her actions, by welcoming the Israelite spies and helping them to escape by a different road.

So then, as the body without the spirit is dead, also faith without actions is dead.

James 2:21-27

Calamity alters our perspective. When lives are on the line, we realize that people, not possessions, are what matter most. And if we take steps to realign our priorities and to treat people well, the lesson will not have been wasted. We should all be doers of the Word, and not just those that hear the Word and do nothing with it. God blesses actions.

After great tragedies, many of us are challenged to put God and people first in our lives. Let’s stay in the Word and take action to maintain our perspective.

A change in behavior begins with a change in heart.

Our Daily Bread – September 11, 2002