real faith = real works

Today, I want to encourage you to not only know that God is real but to show God is real by doing good deeds.

James 2:18-19 says, “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.”

Jesus’ little bro, James, was the dude who wrote these verses. What did he mean by them? Well, obviously (as my 6-year-old Jake would say “duh”), he was rebuffing the pew warmer. You know, the people who come to church, but never do anything for God. Churches are full of such people.

Are you one of them? What good deeds have you done lately? Now, I don’t want for my words to sound condemning. In the words of Jesus found in Matthew 25:40  “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” So, small things count. But, also remember Jesus words in Luke 12:48 “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

God expects for our faith to be followed by works. He longs for our love for Him to spill out upon mankind. His desire is that we emulate His love and good deeds which He has so generously lavished upon us.

So, what can you do? If you’re a teen, just ask your youth pastor. I’m sure he/she has a list of good deeds you can accomplish. And remember, you will have to start small and show yourself faithful in the little before you’re given the big things. So, your youth pastor probably won’t ask you to preach this week for him…he may ask you to do some cleaning or office work. When your youth church does any kind of outreach or missions, you should do all you can to be a part of it…your youth pastor is giving you valuable tools to share your faith and do good works.

If you’re a busy adult and feel you don’t have time, pray about it. You may do simple things like love your family and neighbors more, fix your co-worker a cup of coffee or buy them a coke when they least expect it, buy a $20 gift card (Target, Publix, Wal-Mart) and give it to a struggling single mother, or show kindness to an elderly woman allowing her to go before you in line at the grocery store.

There are so many ways you can put your faith to work! Remember, you will be rewarded for them all!!!