Bond of Perfection
James 2:14-18 Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? 15 For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved 16 and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup – where does that get you? 17 Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense? 18 I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, “Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I’ll handle the works department.” Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove. (The Message)
The book of James is like the guidebook to the application side of Christianity. It tells you very plainly about the trials of life, and how to deal with them. It calls you to put your faith in action; to step out and live what you proclaim. Do you? Is there any evidences in your life six days a week, to what you proclaim on one? How does your language reflect the depth of the eternal gift you have been given? James asks the hard questions; James calls your faith into action no matter what circumstance God has placed in your path. He calls you to live out your faith, for “faith without works is dead faith.”
I saw this type of faith in action yesterday. It moved me in a powerful way. I reflected on it, and was blessed by it. People showing the love of Christ to those who deny Him; not projecting the hate that society tries to label the Christians with today. Christianity is becoming the minority in a society that is filled with equality; a society that believes all paths lead to God; a society that will not adhere to the Laws of God, and accountability found in them for the fear of offending. But the Christian that speaks out is labeled with hate, labeled in many ways that do not portray the love of Christ. Sadly in many circumstances, the Christians zeal has overtaken the love and peace that Christ proclaimed. Colossians 3:14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
Pray that God will do a mighty work in your heart to help you show the love of Christ to those that need Him. Pray that He will give you the compassion for your fellow man that needs the love of Him. Pray that He will open your eyes to the plight of those lost in their sin. Pray that He will show you a way, to show them the love that you possess; a love that surpasses understanding; a love that gives as only He can through you. It is in this type of love that a heart becomes inquisitive; and an inquisitive heart is a heart that God may be using you to draw them to Himself.
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