Our faith in action

 Our faith in action

In the book of James we read,

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.  

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.  James 1:19-22.

As followers of Christ we must put our faith into action. At the same time we need to look inside ourselves. We need to ask God where we fall short. To show us how we can live better lives for Him.

Billy Graham the American evangelist said,

“Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion - it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.” Billy Graham.

Billy Graham also said,

“Make sure of your commitment to Jesus Christ, and seek to follow Him every day. Don't be swayed by the false values and goals of this world, but put Christ and His will first in everything you do.” Billy Graham.

We as believers in Christ Jesus need to be careful as to who we listen to and what we do. It is very easy to let the ways of the world slip into our lives. It is very easy to mix secular values with Christian values. We must be aware of this.

To prevent mixing the worlds values with the values of our faith it is important that we pray daily and as often as we can. To spend time studying the Bible daily. 

It is imperative we learn as much about the teaching of Jesus and the apostles as possible. For it only in doing so that we will be able to represent Christ Jesus in the proper way.

Please think about it.

A Christian Principle

A Christian Principle
The apostle Paul wrote,
“Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. 
Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.  
The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.  
But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.  
Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame.  
If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”1Timothy 5:1-8.
Here Paul tells Timothy and through him Christians how we are to treat those around us especially family.
We are to treat older men with respect “as if he were your father”
“Treat younger men as brothers,”
“Older women as mothers,”
“younger women as Sisters”
all “with absolute purity”
We are to look after widows who are truly in need.
Then Paul notes,
“If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
This is not a concept exclusive to Christians. The Jewish faith believes in this, as do others.
When I was young someone gave me a button that read, “Don’t let your parents down. They brought you up.”
This is true. We as Christians have an obligation to our families to help them if they are in need as long as we are able.
We as Christians are also called as part of our faith to help those who are truly in need. James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  
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 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 what I do.  
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:14-20.
The Christian faith is more than a faith that simply believes in God. It is very much a faith of love in action. Of showing God’s love in all we do. Of witnessing for God in word and deed to all those around us. Our families, our neighbours and all we come in contact with.
Francis of Assisi wrote,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon 

some persons will hear today” 

 Francis of Assisi

Please think about it.