Like a Screen Door on a Submarine
Every time the Gospels mention that Jesus was moved with the deepest emotions or felt sorry for people, it led to his doing something physical or inner healing, deliverance or exorcism, feeding the hungry crowds or praying for others. The Good Samaritan was commended precisely because he acted.
The priest and Levite, paragons of Jewish virtue, flunked the test because they didn’t do anything. “Which of these three in your opinion, was neighbor to the man who fell in with the robbers?”
The answer came, “The one who treated him with compassion.” Jesus said to them, “Then go and do the same.”
—Brennan Manning
Reflections for Ragamuffins
Singer/songwriter Rich Mullins, a man who counted Brennan Manning as a mentor and friend, and referred to himself and his band as Ragamuffins, penned a song called Screen Door. The chorus declared, “Faith without works, it’s about as useless as a screen door on a submarine.” Following through to action, he said, “is the difference between having (genuine) faith and playing make believe.” Let today’s devotional thought to provoke thought and reflection: Is your profession of faith genuine or just talk? In what areas of your life does your profession of faith in God call for rolling up your sleeves and getting busy? Let’s move from merely professing our faith to practicing it. —DH
—David Hoskins, Founder & Care Guide, Sanctuary Clinics