May 11, 2019

Faith Reveals Itself

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. – James 2:17

In that dance that happens when you first meet someone, we discovered that we had a mutual friend. It bonded us in an odd sort of way. We had something, or in this case someone, in common.

“She lives her faith more than anyone I have ever known,” the woman said. I nodded in agreement. It was a genuine compliment that revealed an incredible truth.

Our friend isn’t a flashy, in your face type of Christian. She doesn’t go around slamming others or pushing a political agenda. Instead, she practices kindness and mercy in all that she does. She can debate issues, and does so, with facts and Scripture references. It’s not about politics or “acceptable” answers. It’s about what the Bible truly says.

There are those who call her liberal. I suppose in some ways she is. I see Jesus in her. He was somewhat of a liberal Himself while He preached the gospel on this earth. He wasn’t motivated by money or political correctness. He didn’t care too much for man-made rules. He taught God’s Word. He told us to be kind and merciful, to forgive everyone and to love everyone too. Yes. Our mutual friend is a lot like Jesus.

Being Jesus on earth isn’t about condemning others for not meeting our standards. It isn’t about judging what we don’t know and have no business commenting on. It isn’t about gossiping and political rallies and plucking out Bible verses to further our own agendas. It’s about living the life God has called us to live in the best way we can. It’s about showing others Jesus. My friend does that by how she lives her life. Do you?

September 5, 2018

Has Jesus Changed You?

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” – John 3:3

Nicodemus came to Jesus in the night. He was a Pharisee and we all know how the Pharisees viewed Jesus. Still, Nicodemus wanted to understand. How could someone already born be made new again?

Jesus went on to explain about how everyone must be born of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit. The gift that comes when we turn our lives over to Jesus. The gift that changes us from the inside out.

There are so many people who walk through their lives “knowing” Jesus. They live how they please. There’s no evidence of faith in their lives. Well, except for their Sunday morning piousness. But that’s more about show than it is about real faith.

It’s possible to know all about Jesus and still not really know Jesus. The demons know all about Jesus too. They’re still demons. They still don’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior. They still do evil.

What about you? How do people know you belong to Jesus? Is the evidence there in how you live your life? Are your words laced with kindness and honesty? Do your actions show you’re someone who cares, someone who grants mercy, someone who helps others in need?

Or is your faith all about the show? Maybe it’s more what you do than it is who you are. In the Deep South, what church you belong to is the first question newcomers face. It’s part of the fabric of life. It’s what makes us who we are.

What’s scary are how many people who take salvation for granted. They grow up in the church, passing each milestone with ease. They know how it’s done. They know what words to say. Whether they’re sprinkled or dunked, it’s more a right of passage than a genuine conversion.

I know. Shocking, isn’t it? I am amazed at how many people truly believe that baptism is what makes you a Christian. It isn’t. Faith, true faith, comes from within. It’s a heart condition. It’s something only God can see. But, as James notes, there should be evidence of your faith in how you live your life.

We are truly born again when our hearts change and become more like Jesus’ heart. We see people the way He did. We extend grace the way He did. We serve the way He did.

We also come to see ourselves for who we really are. We come to understand that we are lost without His blood. We truly worship Jesus for His sacrifice. We want to do good because we owe Him a debt we can never pay.

In other words, we change from the inside out. We become better people. What about you? Are you different because of Jesus? Do others see Him in you? Are you sure? Don’t wait until it’s too late to find out.

August 26, 2018

Are You Truly Changed?

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.

– Ephesians 2:8-9

He surrendered his life to Christ just a few years ago. He’d lived a life of church participation but in his 80s he finally realized that attending church and actually being saved really aren’t the same thing.

He had good intentions. After his baptism, he planned to attend church regularly. He was going to read his Bible. He was going to live right. Well, it’s easy to backslide into old ways. It’s easy to put off what you should do until another day, then another, until years have passed. Until you lose the one person you loved above all others.

His wife died today. He is lost. He is determined to live up to her standards. He vows to live for Jesus. I know he sincerely believes his own words. I hope he does live differently in the days to come. I also know that the numbness will end before he’s ready. A deep soul-shattering grief will grip his heart tightly. He will either turn to Jesus in the darkness or he will turn back to the self he knows.

One thing that bothers me is how insistent he is that he must live right so he can get to where we all know she has gone. We keep telling him that his salvation, Jesus’ promise of eternity in heaven, isn’t dependent on what he does or doesn’t do. He says he understands. Sometimes I wonder if he does.

James tells us that we aren’t saved by works but that there should be some evidence in our lives that we are saved. We should live right because of what Jesus has done for us. We should make wise choices, extend compassion and mercy, and do good to others because we are the hands and feet of Jesus on this earth. But none of that alters our status as children of God.

Death brings an emptiness that causes us to reevaluate everything. We realize we can’t wait for another day. We understand that we might not have another opportunity to get right with Jesus. We know that the only real promise in life is that death will one day come. Are you ready?

There is one way to heaven and that is through the blood of Christ. You can’t earn your way there. You can’t buy a ticket. Jesus paid your fare if you’ll only accept His gift. Have you?

Look around and take stock of your life. Do a self-exam on your heart. Are you different because of Jesus or are you just the same as you always were? While works won’t get you anywhere near the Kingdom of God, truly saved people want to do good because of Him.

When the day is done, we won’t have a chance to do things differently. Don’t wait. Accept Jesus’ gift of salvation and live a life of gratitude and service for all He has done.

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.

January 24, 2016

Faith Is What Matters

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. -- Ephesians 2:8-9

I was amazed. This long-standing Christian was talking about the need to do good works to be saved. Excuse me? No.

I quickly corrected him. We are saved by faith in Christ. It is His blood that washes us clean. Good works should spring from true salvation but works have nothing to do with us being saved.

He argued. I quoted some scripture, including this passage from Ephesians. He tried to brush me off nad just shook his head. A woman listening tried to stay out of the conversation. She probably isn’t allowed to talk about her faith. She just quietly said “that’s right” when I explained again about faith in Jesus.

I wonder how many people believe that good works will get them to heaven. It sounds good but they are playing with hell and that’s a scary thing. I’ve heard people say they would just take their chances. I’ve heard others say that someone was a good person and surely he went to heaven.

They don’t get it. Good works don’t matter. Really. They’re nice and all. But they aren’t a ticket to heaven. What does the Bible say?

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." -- John 14:6

Do you believe the Bible? Do you believe Jesus? Then lets ask that question: How do you get in to heaven? Through faith in Jesus. Period.

　

　

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Don’t Be A Pew Sitter

“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” -- John 15:4-5

Are you a pew sitter? Do you show up on Sundays and call yourself done when it comes to Jesus? Do you have faith but don’t feel a need to do anything beyond putting a tax deductible check in the offering plate and maybe occasionally helping out with the children’s programs your offspring are involved in?

Receiving the Holy Spirit is just the beginning of our faith journey. Many Christians think it’s the end. They lean on its promise of eternal life without ever growing in faith, without ever showing the world that something significant happened in their hearts.

Most folks who know me have heard me say again and again that it’s important to read the Bible for yourself. The Holy Spirit will reveal things that you’d never learn otherwise. If it’s hard to understand, keep at it. Or get yourself a version you can better understand. But don’t give up. Don’t stop. Do a little each day and let yourself be fed some of that Living Water.

Learn to talk to God. About what, you might ask. About everything and anything. Don’t just run to God with a list of wants and call yourself done. Don’t only cry out to Him when you’re desperate. Share the details of your life with your Holy Father. Tell Him how much you’re enjoying the beautiful day He created. Tell God how much fun you had playing touch football with the neighborhood kids. Tell Him you’re worried about a sick child or that you want to know Him better. Just talk to God. He craves a relationship with you.

Also, make time to be alone with God. We think we can carry on as usual and, really, we can’t. How can you have a conversation with God and really hear what He’s saying when the television is blaring in the background? You can’t. You want God to hear you. So make an effort to hear God.

Be open to where God might be leading you. Sometimes we act like turtles. We’re all bold on the outside until God calls us to do something we’re not quite sure we can do. Then instead of relying on Him and trusting that He’ll teach us all we need to know, we pull our heads -- and faith -- back and refuse to do it. We miss so many blessings when we don’t step out in faith.

We also miss blessings when we refuse to serve others. We make plenty of excuses but, really, we’re the ones who suffer when we refuse to make time to help others. Take a few minutes and call someone who is lonely. Drive an elderly person to a doctor’s appointment. Offer to baby sit for a couple of hours for an overwhelmed young mother. Invite that just divorced neighbor over for a family meal or to a church gathering.

Our faith shouldn’t remain stagnate. It should grow and produce sweet fruit that lets others see and taste the Holy Spirit within us. Don’t limit what God can do through you by refusing to get off the pew.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Our Lives Should Reflect Our Faith

John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 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 3:7-9

Their pastor lamented over those who have fallen away from God. They say they are Christians, he told me, but their lives don’t reflect that at all. In fact, they openly sin and shrug it off as nothing.

It really makes you wonder if they are Christians in their hearts or merely Christians in their minds.

I know folks -- and you probably do to -- who are Christians because their parents were Christians. They know all the right things to say. They show up on the “big” Sundays of Christmas and Easter, for baptisms and kids’ events. The rest of the time they go about their lives without any thought of God.

It’s as though they believe they can inherit their faith. We are not saved by our parents’ faith but by our own. God knows our hearts. He sees where no one else can see. You can’t fool Him. God knows if you believe in your heart or only with your words.

It all seems to work smoothly for them -- until there’s a crisis. Then everything explodes around them because their faith isn’t really faith at all and they are sinking fast. If they are smart, they cry out to God. Some choose to turn away, angrily lashing out at a God they really don’t know.

Other people truly believe they are saved. They got dunked or sprinkled. Maybe they grew up going to Vacation Bible School and participating in church sports or other activities. But there doesn’t seem to be anything showing outward that they are who they say they are.

Let me ask you another question: When was the last time you asked God what He wanted from you? We’re so accustomed to going to God with our list of requests that we forget to ask Him what He wants. James tells us that faith without works is dead. Those works come when we do what God has called us to do.

Faith isn’t a one-way relationship. God wants a full relationship with us. That means give and take. We’re familiar with the take but what about the give? When we’re created new in Christ, that’s where the change comes. We want to live differently.

I don’t know about those folks who say they’re Christians and yet live lives that don’t reflect their faith. But God knows. He sees their hearts. If they are truly believers, the Holy Spirit will convict them and bring changes in their lives. And if they aren’t, well, we can only pray for their salvation.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Show People Your Faith

So you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good deeds is not faith at all -- it is dead and useless. -- James 2:17

This passage of Scripture confuses many people. Mostly it just offers them an excuse. You’ve probably heard it. “I’m a good person so I’ll get in to heaven.” Wrong answer. And deadly deceptive.

The Bible is clear: Accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior is the only way to eternal life with God. The Apostle Paul said we accept this gift through faith, not by works, so that no man may boast. So faith that comes from the heart and inhabits the soul will get us where we want to go -- heaven.

But what about works? What exactly is James saying if it isn’t that works and faith aren’t one and the same? What this half-brother of Jesus is saying is that if your faith doesn’t result in good works, then you really don’t have faith at all.

When you accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to reside within you. It changes you. It changes everyone. We are made new in Him. That change makes us want to do good things. It opens our hearts to care about people we don’t know, to share our worldly possessions and our time, to volunteer. If that change isn’t seen by others, James says that person’s faith is dead. It doesn’t exist.

It comes back to how others can tell a person is a Christian. It shouldn’t just be because the person says he is a Christian. It should be evident in how he lives his life. It should be seen in how he conducts business, how he treats his family and friends, and how he spends his time.

One man I know sometimes comes to church with his wife and children. He would tell you quick that he’s a Christian. Maybe he is. Only God knows our hearts. But his language and meanness in his office tells me otherwise. Christians just don’t treat people that way. It goes against everything we believe about loving others as ourselves and doing good to our enemies.

Faith brings forth good works. Faith causes a person to smile and offer a kind word. Faith reaches out to the homeless, the desperate, the sick. Faith speaks kindly to a rejected child, a lonely wife, a overburdened father. Faith collects clothes for the needy, gives food to the hungry, does chores for the elderly.

Jesus didn’t just minister to others with his words. He reached out to them with His actions. He touched them with his compassion. He accepted the outcasts as friends. We’d do well to look to Jesus for a role model as to what a Christian should do.

Don’t just tell people you’re a Christian with your words. Show them your faith by how you live your life.