One of the first Bible verses I remember learning as a child was James 1:22 "Be doers of the word and not hearers only." James has a lot to say about living out our faith. He even goes so far as to say "faith without works is dead." Paul also addresses this when he says we are "created in Christ Jesus for good works".
My pastor also preaches this. He often tells us "just read the Bible and do what it says." He encourages us to be the hands and feet of Jesus. If God lays a burden on my heart - say a neighbor who needs groceries - it is my responsibility to get those groceries, not call the church office and tell the church they need to do something. We see this same story in James 2:15-16.
But this is not just a New Testament church thing. This is the very heart of God. Back in the days of Isaiah, God was telling the Israelites that they didn't understand fasting. They were setting aside a day to humble themselves, bowing down like a reed, covering themselves in sackcloth and ashes. But God said this is not what I desire. "Is not this the fast that I chose: to loose the bonds of wickedness...to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your houses; when you see the naked, to cover him..." Isaiah 58:6-7
Too many people in church today are like those Israelites, they are consumers putting on a good show for God. They show up on Sunday to sing the songs and listen to the sermon and then leave with never a thought of doing anything about what they heard, no thought of serving Jesus by serving others. I find that really sad because they are missing so much joy and so much connection with God.
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