on acting out this faith thing

Just a few thoughts from the gospels today:
Matt. 26 The final judgement.
Jesus gathers all people to him and separates them into sheep (righteous) and goats (unrighteous). He says to the righteous, "come, you who are blessed by my Father, inhert the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or thirty and give you a drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them "truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."
The same thing happens with the unrighteous. They are ordered to depart because they did not feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, or help the hurting.
Doing to "the least of these" is the same as doing to christ.
Interestingly this issue came up at bible study last night. I commented on how things have just happened in my life this week in which God has allowed me to be a part of his work, and how it just seems natural-what i should do. I dont feel as though i'm doing anything special. But i did challenge others there to examine themselves, ask if they care about others, and then invest their energy, time, and love into other people. Another person shot back, "but you have to be careful! you have to spend time with God first and love him first!" To which i responded with this passage- doing to the least of these is doing to christ. Spending time with them and loving them IS loving Christ.
Now moving on:
Mark 12. The Greatest Commandment.
What did Jesus say? Love the lord your god with all your heart and soul and mind and strength; love your neighbor as yourself. (There's lots to say here. I've thought in the past that we often miss the mind part, but now I see that we often miss the strength- especially since it's right before loving neighbors- acting it out, using our bodies!)
But what's striking me today is the response from a scribe who was sitting there, in on the conversation.
"And the scribe said to him, 'You are right, Teacher. You have truly sad that he is one, and there is no other besides him [God]. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength and to love one's neighbor as oneself is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.' And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him 'You are not far from the kingdom of God'."
Why didn't he say "you are a part of the kingdom of god" or "you will enter the kingdom of god"? This guy understood...he said it, he knew it. But he had not yet acted on it. If he really loved God, he'd be loving his neighbor. And once he did that, he'd be in on the kingdom.
Next! Luke 18. The Rich Young Ruler.
You know the story. This rich, handsome young guy comes up to Jesus and says, "what must i do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus says, i think a bit sarcastically- keep all the commandments. Rich man says, "Got it!". Jesus- "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." Again, this guy's intentions were good. But he was unwilling to act on it, or to sacrifice any of his comforts.
Last. John 15. Last supper, last words.
As he's about to be betrayed and killed, Jesus gives many words to his disciples, among which are these: "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no on e than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you."
Love. Do we even love one another, our brothers and sisters? If not, how can we even begin to love the oppressed and weak and poor? No i'm not preaching a works-based salvation. But we must act on our faith! So many of us know so much, have been given so much, and say we love God! But do we? If so, we must show it! and not just to those around us who are comfortable with it, but to all people! What good is love if it is not shown? And if it is only given to those who are deserving, what is it worth? It is only cheap recognition of goodness in another person. But christ demonstrated his love in that while we were still sinners he DIED for us. If you got love, live it.

Update: Pay attention to this response post, esp. the last little paragraph. It clarifies a bit.