Emphasis Preaching Journal

The cartoonist Charles Schulz, creator of Peanuts, illustrates well what James means when he writes that "faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead." Snoopy is sitting in the falling snow, shivering. Linus and Charlie Brown come walking by all wrapped up in their winter coats. Charlie Brown observes, "Snoopy looks kind of cold, doesn't he?" Linus responds, "I'll say he does ... maybe we'd better go over and comfort him." They stand by Snoopy, one on each side. Linus says, "Be of good cheer, Snoopy." Charlie Brown adds, "Yes, be of good cheer." Then, they both walk off into the snowflakes, bundled warmly in their winter gear. Snoopy is left, shivering, with a huge "question mark" looming over his head, as if to ask, "You mean, that's it?"
Faith "profits" others when it motivates a tangible response that truly addresses (adds dressing) to a human need.
-- Molldrem