Source Used: The Life Application Study Bible
Written By: Lisa K. Gonzales
“Dear brothers and sisters, what is the use of saying you have faith if you do not prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can not save anyone.” ~ James 2:14
When some people claim to have faith, what they may actually have is intellectual assent – agreement with a set of Christian teachings – and as such it would be incomplete faith. True faith transforms our conduct as well as our thoughts. If our life remains unchanged, we do not sincerely believe the truths we claim to believe.
We all have that special someone in our lives who is a perfect example of faith – a true man or woman of GOD. For me (and many in my extended family) it was my Uncle Jimmy. From the time I was very young, but old enough to realize and understand the “things of GOD”, my uncle was always the perfect example of a Christian, GOD fearing and loving man. Of course being young and full of teenage adventure, I did not really pay much attention to how I was supposed to live – that would come later, when I was older and settled down. Uncle Jimmy understood, he knew how kids – or people in general for that matter – could be. He prayed for his family, friends and people he had never met, and lived his life so that people could see his faith not just hear about it. No matter where he was or what the circumstance, situation or celebration may have been – he stayed true to who he was – he stayed true to his GOD. He was not ashamed of his Heavenly Father and loved to talk about HIM above any conversation he could have, but more than that he loved and longed to “do” for his LORD. He was a quiet and humble servant who looked for opportunities to help his family, his church (who was also his family), his community and the people in it. He loved GOD therefore, he loved GOD’s people.
On August 31, 2007 my uncle went home to be with his LORD. It was a difficult time for us all because we had to get use to being here on this earth without him. As I made my way through the days leading up to his funeral (which he wanted to be a celebration), I thought of all the times we shared and the talks we had. I felt GOD had been especially good to me as he allowed me that one last special one-on-one time with a man I loved and admired so much. You see, my uncle and aunt came to visit my mother (my mother is his sister) and stayed at my house. I can not tell you how honored and privileged I felt as I prepared a meal for them to eat, and a comfortable place for them to sleep. Not only did I have my uncle, whom I admired, I had one of Jesus’ finest disciples staying in my home. We visited well into the wee hours of the night/morning talking about – yep you guessed it – the LORD, the Bible, and family history. It was a wonderful visit and one that I will cherish the rest of my life. The next morning when my aunt and uncle left, he hugged me tightly and told me he loved me. I had no way of knowing how special that time and that hug really was – we lost him just four days later.
A woman who was my uncle’s prayer partner said, “His presence may be removed and his voice silenced, but his memory is our treasure.” She went on to say, “We have known humble discipleship through Jim Starr.” What a treasure I have of not only our special time together, but of the life and example that he set for me and everyone he came in contact with. My uncle truly understood what James meant when he said: – “So you see, it is not enough just to have faith. Faith that does not show itself by good deeds is no faith at all – it is dead and useless.” – James 2:17 – We cannot earn our salvation by serving and obeying GOD. But such actions show that our commitment to GOD is real. Deeds of loving service are not a substitute for, but rather a verification of, our faith in Christ.
Our hearts have been broken by the passing of my uncle, but we rejoice in the fact that we will see him again. We rejoice in knowing that when my uncle came face to face with his KING, he was told the words he longed and lived for, the words he so deserved: “Well done thy good and faithful servant.”
In Memory of: James M. Starr
May 23, 1931 – August 31, 2007
Dedicated to: The Starr Family
