That's another quote from the straight-to-the-point book of James (James 2:26). The author's point in those two sections of Scripture is that just knowing is not enough. You have to do something about it.
In illustration, James paints the picture of someone who is cold and hungry. He then asks, "If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead" (James 1:16, 17).
His point is, recognizing a need and knowing what to do is worthless unless you actually do something.
Want to truly follow Christ?
Start by doing what He says. Going to church and reading the Bible are good things, but that doesn't make you a follower of Christ. Knowing about God doesn't make you a Christian. James had something to say about that, too (James 2:18, 19).
In Matthew 7:24-27, Christ says that anyone who hears His words and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Conversely, anyone who hears His words but does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
You can guess which house stood firm when the storms came.
Start by doing.
Don't think you should wait until you know the whole Bible before you begin to do what it says. You'll never get there. Start by doing what you know. Christ said the two commandments upon which everything else hinge are to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40).
That's simple enough. Sure, there's a whole lot more depth to look into, but that's certainly a good place to start.
Understand everything begins with Christ. Follow Him. Learn about Him. Then do what you have learned.
You are well on your way to a new life.
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