Work to Be Done!

WATCHWORD:

¹⁵ Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, ¹⁶ and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? ¹⁷ So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. James 2:15-17

I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6

Meditation:

Work to Be Done!

In recent weeks I have been reading in a book by author Charles Martin, entitled “What If It’s True? A Storyteller’s Journey with Jesus”. I say ‘I have been reading in the book’ because I have read and re-read many sections in several chapters, passages which opened my understanding of what the Holy Spirit is saying. I recommend it.  If I awarded stars, What If It’s True would get five of five.

Throughout this book, Martin has taken scripture and cast it into expanded story-form without changing the reverent-nature of God’s Word. At one place, he speaks of “having a tough day writing”, was tempted to quit a project. Then he came face to face with Jesus, and the full meaning of the phrase, Jesus Christ is Lord of all. That statement, Jesus Christ is Lord of All, has become the motivating force to complete whatever God has placed on Martin’s heart. It has become his mantra, or, as he states it, “To put ‘this rock’ between me and my enemy, resignation.”

Psalm 86:11 is a prayer Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth!  The operable words in that passage are “that I may live according to your truth”, that is to act on it, to be fruitful and to do what I have taught.

Stop right there, and let us consider. If being a Christian were just words, where is the substance? It’s one thing to put words on a page, and for the reader to absorbed those thoughts, and admire it, but if nothing comes of it, if it doesn’t serve to deepen your relationship with God, then the question becomes why even take the time? What’s the point in reading devotionals, attending church services, even asking the Lord for help, if, in the long run, life is not changed, we do not act on what God has placed on our hearts, and God’s will is not followed. Then I wonder.

In the James passage, we read: Faith that doesn’t show itself by good works is no faith at all—it is dead and useless. That may seem harsh and to the point, but I would like to ask James what he means by “good works”. Let’s say that due to age, infirmities, illness, etc., I’m relegated to a bed in health care. I can’t get out, and visit others, can’t make a casserole to deliver to a needy family, etc., does that mean my faith is dead? Of course not.

I visited a dear saint just days before she went to be with Jesus. her active good works were evident in her voice and on her countenance. Her greetings of visitors, including nurses, carried a powerful message of God’s love. She couldn’t do anything active, but what she was able to do for the Lord was quite amazing. Good works. Said differently, the good she does…works.

We cannot save ourselves by works, by words on a page, or by following a prayer and devotional routine. However, each one opens our hearts and makes us sensitive to the opportunities for doing good every day of our lives. We are called to be God’s messengers, witnesses, the planter of seeds of faith, each fitting into God’s plan. He chooses to send us out into the fields, into the harvest, that he has already prepared. Our faith exposed reflects compassion, mercy, humility, love, the good works that we are led to in service to Christ, setting up the miraculous work God does in the hearts of people.

Our good works is not a ticket to eternal life.  It does not justify us before God. But if you feel motivated to act because of your relationship with Christ, then act with the full confidence that Christ will equip you every step of the way. Remember, God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished. Amen.

Think About This:

We are apt to imagine that our Lord was only tempted once, overcame it and it was done. Wrong. His temptations went on from the start of his human life to the end, because his Holiness was not the holiness of Almighty God, but the holiness of a human, vulnerable, and progressing only by means of the things that go against him. Are we going with Jesus in his temptations? It is true that he is with us in ours, but are we with Him in his?  Many of us cease to go with Jesus from the moment we have experienced what he can do. We, like some of his disciples, chose not to follow, or we begin to harbor doubts. None of that may apply to you, but it is something to think about, to pray about.

Bible Reading Plan – Second Week:

The Daily Bible Reading Plan is from Allen Jackson Ministries. If you would like the full year plan, go to allenjackson.com and sign up. Or you can email me at bosworthescott@gmail.com or text me at 260-578-2519. Please note, I will not be including weeks of the Reading Plan in subsequent Watchwords.

Open My Heart, Lord: