Monday 6 Oct 2014

October 6: James 2:14-17

Key Verse: James 2:14
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?

Devotion:
When Christ asks us to believe in Him, it is not just a saying that we must believe in but a whole string of works as well we words. Jesus did not come to tell us what to do and then go off to do something different. He did not come to tell us what we cannot do and then allow others to do that. Jesus came to show us how to behave and to tell us what we need to know in order to behave and to live with Him.

When we see someone in need we would not tell them that everything was going to be fine and walk off expecting them to go and do something to make it all fine again; we do something to make a difference so that it will be fine… or at least that is what we should be doing. In the same manner Jesus came to tell us it was all going to be OK and then made sure it was going to be by submitting to God’s will on the cross.

In the same way, just giving someone something to get them through a rough patch will not always be what is needed; educating them and encouraging them to be able to go forward in their lives and make something positive come out of the negative situation is going to count for more than just a gift. In order to help people in a third world country it is better to show them how to change their situation and give them all they need to change it than to try and change it. We may be able to change it the first time round, but a continual change is much better for everyone.

God wants to give us eternal life, and He has given every one of us that opportunity, but in order to gain that life He had to do something. He gave His own life so that we could have life. He did not just say it but came here to do it and show us how much He cares. When we tell others about Christ we need to make sure we follow it up by doing things to show them that Christ is real. Don’t just talk. Get out there and do it!

Points to Ponder:
Do you like spreading the Gospel?

Do you show people the Gospel?