ESOCS Devotional 1 May 2026 – The Church As One Christian Brotherhood
MEMORY VERSE: “If a brother or sister is naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto him, depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body, what doth it profit?” James 2:15-16 KJV
TEXT: JAMES 2:14-26
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 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? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
READ OTHER ESOCS DEVOTIONAL HERE
The people of ancient Israel shared a common descent from the patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, (Genesis 21:3; 25:26; Matthew 1:2). In other words, they were all members of the same national community that originated from one family lineage. As the Hebrew nation evolved, the words: brothers and sisters soon came to be used for any relative, as well as to designate all the people of Israel. By extension however, because all humans are the off springs of God, we are therefore all brothers and sisters.
In the New Testament, Christians are described as brothers and sisters or brethren in Christ. We must therefore live as family members by overlooking social distinctions, forgiving one another (Matthew 6:12), not judging or destroying one another (Matthew 7:1), and above all, loving one another (John 2:10), as well as render help to those in need (James 2:15, 16).
Moreover, helping the less privileged in the fold is a sure way to activate one’s faith into practical application. Faith without benevolent actions is self-deception on the part of any believer, who seeks to please God on his own terms, (Matthew 25:42-46). As emphasized by Apostle James in our text, this is a major way to put our faith in Christ to work. It is so, because faith, if it hath not works, is dead and of no practical relevance (James 2:17).
The early Church flourished and grew in number in the spirit of one brotherhood. In Acts 2:42-47, the Church continued steadfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship; and the breaking of bread, and in prayers. There were no discriminations between the haves and the have-nots. This is the true spirit of Christian brotherhood, and should be upheld unto the end.
Reflections
- He who would not spare the poor and the needy is likened to one who has faith, but no works. Do you agree?
Prayer
- Lord Jesus, grant me the grace to be helpful to the needy.
Further Reading: 2 Samuel 19:16-30; Jeremiah 32:1-15; Mark 14:1-11
ESOCS Devotional 1 May 2026
