If you have faith in God, then act on it. Show your faith through your works. 2Ephesians 2:8-10 does not mean that we are to have faith alone and not works. It teaches that we are saved through our faith but that is not the end of the story. Our faith leads us to do good works in the sight of God. Verse 10 says, 2“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Let this verse sink in for a minute. If we are the Lord’s workmanship shouldn’t we then be living like Him? Continuing to live in our own self-righteous ways is not God’s will. We must be on the Lord’s path or we will not be saved. 1Jesus is the only way to eternal life. Repent and come unto Him and let Him change the way you think and act. There is no other way but to follow Him. Following in Jesus’s footsteps will lead us to do many great works. What was it that Jesus did most times when we wasn’t teaching? He visited the sick. He helped the needy. He prayed for and healed all manner of people. If this was His life then let it be ours as well. True faith is not built upon our own beliefs but His. His longings are for us to help those in need. Anyone that is sick, He desires that we care for them. If we see a homeless person on the side of the road, He desires that we stop to help them. If they need food then buy them something to eat. Carry extra coats, hats and shoes that you no longer use and give them to those in need. If money is tight, then do what you can to help them. If all you can do is give them some water and pray with them then God is pleased. Your effort to make a difference in another person’s life is all He asks of us.
Today, I saw this homeless man standing on this street corner with a sign. Every car was just passing him by, even those that were stopped didn’t care for his needs. I couldn’t take it any longer. Just watching this broke my heart. So as I was waiting in Del Taco, I bought 4 taco’s and quickly brought them outside to him. He was about to leave in his minivan when I caught up with him. His family was living out of their car, as He had just been laid off from work. They had lost their home and all they had left was there car to sleep in. I told him how sorry I was for them to go through such hard times. I then asked if I could pray for their needs and he said yes. I prayed and asked God to comfort him and his family. To let them know that they are loved. It was a blessing to help them. 3James 2 teaches us that our faith should lead us to help those in need. If it is not then our faith is dead. James teaches, 3“If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” If these verses prick your heart because you have not been doing as God commands then do not be discouraged but act on these promptings of the Spirit. It is God that is leading you to help those that are sick and afflicted.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I am grateful to know You. Thank you for your great love for me. This love cannot be kept inside. Continue to bring me to help others in need. Let them feel of Your love. Everything I do is for You, Jesus. I pray that more people will be convicted to help those in need. I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1John 14:1-6 (KJV)
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
2Ephesians 2:8-10 (KJV)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
3James 2:14-18 (KJV)
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
