1-11-2019

 Good Morning All,

        Galatians 5:6b; “but only faith working through love”. 

    Only faith working through love.  That would be a good mission verse for some organization.  It would be a good mission verse for you and me.  Many in the church have lost sight of this.  Many in the church are wringing their hands because numbers and attendance is dropping.  So they hire consultants and advisors.  They do everything except have faith working through love.

    When the ancient church was first starting out in the 200’s and the 300’s, it didn’t have some slick ad campaign; it just preached and lived the Gospel.  Many were impressed and some were even converted to this “Christianity”.  Why?; because these Christians took the time to go out into the street and pick up those who were sick and dying.  They brought them into their homes, nursed their bodies, ministered to their spirits and then buried them as they died.  They had compassion for their fellow man; most of whom could give nothing back.

     Do we do that today?  Do we “walk the walk” or do we just sound good?  Most of us donate money to worthy causes; we may even donate our time but we often do it in methodical fashion.  We almost go with, “I’ll be a Christian today for a while; then back to normal”.  While doing good things for others, being kind to others once in a while I better than never being good; is that what Jesus really meant when he said “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

    So what do we do?  Some will think we have to work harder.  We have to work at our faith harder to accomplish this.  The truth is the opposite.  Working only serves our foolishness; when we think we can impress God with how good we are.  What really works is when we truly place our faith in Jesus and walk in the path that he has laid out for us.  When God places those opportunities to do those things which he wants us to do, we need to do them.  How do we know to do them?  Have you ever been in a situation where you said to yourself, “someone should do something”?  Someone should go hug the friend who is hurting and crying.  Someone should take those two children off that poor mother’s hands for a couple hours.  Someone should visit that older couple down the street.  When you hear yourself saying,” Someone should do something”; do something!

    The first few times it can be a little weird but God’s grace really pulls you through and you be surprised at it impact on you.  I know when I started to visit our shut-ins; I was hesitant.  Now it is one of the most enjoyable parts of my service.  Sometimes I feel guilty because I come away more uplifted by them than I think they are by me.  The strength of their faith is incredible and humbling at the same time.  You might get the same reaction from the events that God places in your life.  Who knows what awaits you when you fully trust God for his guidance.  “Only faith working through love” might change your life entirely.

Dearest Father, we often speak of love but fail to live it.  Lead us in your paths; show us your will for us that we may be your hands and shoulders to bring mercy to this saddened world.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret