Common-Sense Christianity: A Study of JamesNäide

Common-sense Christians live what they believe

You probably don’t bank your spring planting plans on Punxsutawney Phil’s shadow, but it’s a reminder of how often we settle for unreliable sources of guidance. Common-sense Christians know God’s word offers timeless truth. However, that truth doesn’t change lives unless we live it out with our actions.

James challenges us to be doers of the word, not hearers only (James 1:22–25). Hearing truth and doing nothing with it is like seeing a mess in the mirror and walking away unchanged. Our actions reflect what we truly believe. When they don’t match our words, people notice.

It’s not about perfection; it’s about obedience. James goes on to say that pure religion isn’t just talk—it shows up in how we speak, how we care for others, and how we stay spiritually clean in a messy world (James 1:26–27). And when we live that way, people hear the gospel and see the gospel at work in our lives.

Before you go about your day, take a moment to look into your spiritual mirror.

What needs a little cleaning up? Ask God’s Spirit to align your thoughts, words, and actions with the mind of Christ. Let today be one where your faith doesn’t just speak—it moves.