“If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food…”

If a brother or sister

James takes up the argument of the Christian who claims to have faith without works. 

The hypothesis here is about Christians who are destitute of the necessary elements of life, such as clothing and food.  Obviously, the person in the hypothesis of claiming faith without works is also a Christian because of the words “brother or sister.”  The terms “brother” and “sister” remind us of our relationship to one another spiritually. 

is naked and destitute of daily food

The person naked and destitute is a person without adequate clothing and food. 

PRINCIPLE: 

A Christian idealism that talks about faith but does not act faith is not real faith. 

APPLICATION: 

Our faith is useless if it does not express itself in meeting the needs of Christians in physical need.  The Christian cannot live true Christianity in isolation.  True Christianity is an interdependent relationship among Christians. 

Ga 6:10, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

1 Jn 3:17-19, “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? ¹⁸ My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. ¹⁹ And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.”

A Christian idealism that talks about faith but does not act faith is not real faith.  Talk without action is futile.  We fulfill the royal law of love by giving to those in need and fulfilling our duty toward one another.