“For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead” (James 2:26).
Have you ever noticed that there are so many “nominal Christians” out there? Men and women who profess to be followers of Christ but who fail to produce any fruit and/or works that prove their devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. My greatest fear is that I am one of them; that is, I wonder all the time is my life bearing the type and kind of fruit that proves out my salvation. To be honest, it almost scars me to death sometimes. Yet, in the midst of such ponderings I am reminded of what a former mentor shared with me once upon a time. Jesus stated, “I am the Good Shepherd, I know My sheep and My sheep know Me” (John 10:14). Do you/I love God’s Word? How much time do I/you spend in the Bible? Do you/I love spending time in prayer and conversation with God? Do I/you love being around God’s people – the Church? Do you/I love serving God’s creation in His name – service and missions? Are you/I growing in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? These are the measures of grace in one’s life. “Show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18); “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself” (James 2:17).
I think I’ll go and read my Bible!
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