December 12, 2018

Faith Comes First

“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

– Luke 3:8-9

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

– James 2:18

They are good. They’re quick to point that out if anyone tries to tell them about Jesus. They don’t want to listen. They aren’t willing to hear.

In their minds, they are good people. “I’ll just take my chances,” is a popular response. It’s not about chances. If you believe in Jesus, believe He came and died for our sins and rose three days later, you are saved. If you don’t, you are headed to hell.

Sometimes we try to cover the truth with platitudes. Maybe if we surround it with nice things, we won’t have to deal with the black and white nature of sin. We don’t want to tell people we like, people who are basically good people, that Jesus is the only way to live.

Some people truly believe their deeds will save them. They just do. It’s not true but it gives them an excuse to continue on without ever really making a decision. They don’t want to turn their lives over to Jesus. They don’t want to hand Him control.

Others know all the answers. They’re saved. They love Jesus. They attend church. They tithe sometimes. But they aren’t quite willing to give up their sins. They’re forgiven so what does it matter? They want the security of Jesus, they want the reassurance that Heaven is in their future, but they also want to live however they choose in the hear and now.

Does any of this sound familiar? Maybe you know someone, or several someones, who fit into one of the other of those categories. Maybe one of those categories describes you.

John the Baptist was preaching about the Messiah. He was baptizing people with water. He was laying the way for what was to come. Some Jews thought they were good. Abraham was their father. They had no need for a Savior.

Yet, they did. God sent His Son and they missed it. They rejected Him and crucified Him. They were so busy with their rules, with knowing everything, that they missed what was truly important.

The same is true for those who claim a faith they don’t live. How is it possible to have true faith without wanting to change your life and please the One who gives us life? It isn’t. Because true faith brings change inside of us.

That’s what James was saying. Some people think being good, doing good, is all they need to be saved. They’ve got it all wrong. It is faith that saves us and, because of that faith, we want to do good to honor Jesus.

Life is hard. Do good. Be kind. But don’t ever forget that none of it matters if Jesus Christ isn’t in your heart.

March 27, 2018

Do Others See Jesus in You?

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.” – James 2:17-18

How many people do you know who are really just good people? You know the type I’m talking about. They always seem to lend a helping hand, to offer up a kind word, to give money to a good cause.

How many of those good people know Jesus as Lord and Savior? Have you ever tried to talk with one of them about salvation only to have them tell you – kindly, of course – that they’ll just take their chances?

It’s just so sad. Because no matter how much good you do in this life, you’re still a sinner. We all are. And the only way past that, the only ticket if you will to heaven, is through the blood of Jesus Christ. You can’t earn heaven. We aren’t worthy to go. But Jesus paid the price. It’s so simple, maybe too simple for some.

That said, the opposite is true as well. When we finally realize, deep inside, what Jesus did for us, we want to do good in His name. We want to glorify Him with our lives, flawed though those lives might be. We seek to do His work, to be His light, in this dark world.

You also probably know someone who professes faith in Jesus Christ. They’re probably good about attending Sunday services when it’s convenient. Maybe they even participate in a Sunday school class or other small group. Just don’t ever ask them to do anything else. They’re just too busy.

They don’t have time to reach out to their child’s friend who can’t participate in activities because he doesn’t have a ride. They can’t take a meal to someone who is homebound because they frequently have to work late. And certainly don’t expect them to volunteer on a weekend. When the weather’s good, you’ll find them at the beach or the lake. Priorities, you know.

There doesn’t seem to be any evidence of faith in their lives except for the words that come from their mouths. It makes you wonder, doesn’t it?

Our church recently hired a young man to become the new youth director. He served at another church in that same position. He’s in seminary. He definitely feels called by God to serve Him.

This man is also engaged to a woman who grew up in our church. Her family, as you might imagine, is thrilled. Her mother commented that the whole family has had to really pay attention. How so? They watch their words, they are called to action, they are attending church more and finding excuses less. Why? Because this young man lives his faith and that influences all those who are living their lives beside him.

Do people want to live better lives, to serve Jesus more and more, because of what they see in your life? Why not? It takes all of us bonding together to serve and be His light. Do your part. Let others see Him in you.

April 30, 2016

Check Your Motives

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. -- James 2:14-18

We all know that faith without works is dead. James said so and I believe it.

But what about faith with works done to earn favor and prestige? What about works done to build ourselves up rather than Jesus?

We tell ourselves we’re being charitable when we write that check. We want everyone to know that we’re “called” when we sign up to lead that committee. We tell people how hard we’ve worked to further that program.

It’s all about me, me, me, when it really should be about Jesus.

A sweet friend began a caregivers support group some time back. It was a great idea and an answer to my prayers. All of us, that core group of 4 or 5, were optimistic that it would soon grow as work spread. It hasn’t grown at all.

There are many reasons. The first is that caregivers rarely have an extra hour each week. Nor do caregivers feel they should need support. No one has time to publicize the group. And we’ve changed rooms and times again and again.

The other day this sweet friend said she might call a hiatus for the summer. What could I say? I know that she feels abandoned by the church, which has not supported her endeavor. And I know she is disappointed by the low turnout.

But when she started talking about money lost during the hour devoted to the group, well, I had to wonder about her motives. Did she start the group to add to her resume or to help others? Maybe that’s why it never seemed to work out.

I’m not faulting her. Really. I’m not. We’ve all started things, volunteered, created wonderful things, then watched as the joy fell aside. Our intentions were good but maybe our heart wasn’t on board.

It’s a good time to ask ourselves what our motives are? If we are meant to honor God in that way, He will open doors and opportunities beyond anything we could imagine. If that isn’t His calling on our lives, or if we’re doing it for our own glory, then we will falter every time.