Sunday, 10 August 2014

AUGUST 10, 2014 - DAY 61 (Faith/Works)

As Christians, we are called to love on those around us. We are called to help widows, the fatherless, prisoners, the homeless, the hungry, etc. So here's an interesting thought...

If you help somebody with their need (perhaps they need a coat for a cold winter or food because they are hungry) and you help them - that's wonderful! BUT if you're only taking care of their physical need and not coupling it with the gospel message, you're a humanitarian. We are called to meet physical needs, but what is more important is spiritual needs.

Now what about the opposite. What if you tell a person about Jesus and his love but do nothing to help out their physical need? You're lying to yourself.

James 2:14-18 & 26 
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

I think it's important we do both. Share the gospel with people and then show God's tangible love by taking care of them as well.

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