your faith is nothing without good works
"Jesus said to his disciples:
“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door,
and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you." Matthew 6:1-6
But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door,
and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you." Matthew 6:1-6
How many times have you seen on the news someone receiving a reward for doing a good deed? There are so many on the six o'clock news who, in the glare and flicker of cameras, take a bow.
I am also just as surprised at those who perform good deeds and one never hears about it until many years later. They also inspire me more, simply because they did not want or receive recognition.
Which one are you?
It is good to lead by example. But I also remember the words of St Francis of Assisi, who admonished his followers to "preach the Gospel. Use words if necessary." Lead by example.
I see so many who feel the loud, riotous route is the way to go if you want to capture someone's attention. Look at the riots in the streets, look at what so called pro-lifers do to abortion clinics; they bomb them, or kill anyone who goes in or comes out. Is this following the Gospel, that the ends justify the means?
No!
Even at His capture in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus told Peter that violence is not the way to go as He healed the ear of the Roman soldier, the same ear that Peter had just cut off with his sword. Even to the end, Jesus was stoic about what He was doing for all of Mankind! He didn't take a bow and exclaim, "look at Me! Yup, thank you, thank you, I'm taking one for the team, don't ya know!" No! He preached, He healed, He taught, He did all things, not because of who He was...but because of who the Father was! All things for the glory of God! Isn't that beautiful? And we should be the same way!
Today, find a need where you are! Smile at someone, hold a door open, pick up the check of someone behind you at the drive through coffee shop, help someone who is lost...so many things that you can do!
Why wait for permission? Why not begin right now?
An important part of being a Christian is faith - but faith is nothing
without works. Doing "good works" means you must act in accordance with
your beliefs. If you believe that you should be generous, then you
should act generously.
Doing good works is all about being the best Christians we can. These Bible verses about works should help you understand that being a Christian is not just about faith. Having faith is easier than doing works in the name of the Lord. Acting like a Christian can be hard - and that's how we prove our faith.
So read this scripture on good works if you need to be pointed in the right direction. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." - Matthew 5:16 ... as Matthew says, let our light be seen by our good works, which glorify God.
Doing good works is all about being the best Christians we can. These Bible verses about works should help you understand that being a Christian is not just about faith. Having faith is easier than doing works in the name of the Lord. Acting like a Christian can be hard - and that's how we prove our faith.
So read this scripture on good works if you need to be pointed in the right direction. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." - Matthew 5:16 ... as Matthew says, let our light be seen by our good works, which glorify God.
"Take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them" ... what? But one must lead by example ... doing good out in the open inspires others. It's contagious! I have not dedicated my life to the poor and sick for any other purpose other than to serve. That's the difference between those who are religious and those who are spiritual. There is no "me" involved ... and that's a beautiful thing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the work that you do!! I think what we are to take from these readings is that we are to do the good deeds without looking for praise or acknowledgment. God sees that we are doing good. We should not use our acts for our own glory.
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