Put To Work Your Faith

November 26, 2022 – Ron Green

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

James 2:26 NKJV

If you have accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior and you are keeping the “Good News” of Jesus to yourself, then you are not following Jesus in a way that He has instructed you to do so. You are being selfish and you are not being the Christian that you started out to be. Sorry if that statement hurts, but if the shoe fits, just saying. Remember we all fall short, including myself. I’m no different from you. 

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20 

Did you really understand what Jesus said? These days it seems that when people make the decision to be baptized, then things seem stop there. Believe me, there’s no better feeling than coming out of that baptism pool of water as you’re renewed in Christ Jesus. Now that you’re baptized, what are you doing. Are you sharing the “Love” of God and the “Good News” of Jesus? Are you teaching others what you have learned. Jesus instructed you and I to go and make disciples of all nations. So, are you making disciples to the nations? Matthew 28:19

Here’s another statement to think about “Once Saved Always Saved.” Wow if it was that easy, then there would be no reason to continue to follow Jesus. Sorry it doesn’t work that way. If you need clarification in that statement, please pickup and read your Bible. If you’re still confused, please seek out help from your church’s ministry leaders. The Bible tells us that faith without works is dead. We also learn that with faith comes works. Works comes because of our “Love” for God and the “Faith” we have in Jesus. It’s called obedience because you made that decision to repent of your sins and to take up you cross to follow your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. Colossians 2:12 

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Colossians 2:6-7

It’s not something we can create but something we obtain when we choose to trust, obey, and walk in faith. 

If you’re a follower of Jesus, find comfort and hope that you’re at peace with God. And then, seek God in all your ways so that nothing will be in between you and the peace of God. 

Conclusion:

Ellen White writes in part:

This Day With God 

“ Our Special Works” November 17

He who has come to Christ and has been truly converted will have a longing to save the souls that are out of Christ. He who loves God supremely and his neighbor as himself cannot rest content with doing nothing….

God will use humble men as His instruments. Even though they have but one talent, if they trade upon it, it will increase. The great fault in the church is that the work of saving souls is so limited, that the advancement of the kingdom of God is slow. A backslidden church is the sure result of a selfish church, a church that does not use her talents in the work of cooperating with Jesus to restore the moral image of God in man. We are to minister to every creature. A responsibility is laid upon us to work for all, our friends, our acquaintances, those that are bound up with the world and alienated from God. The apparently amiable and agreeable are to come into the sphere of our labors. The truth is for them as much as for us, and we must say, “Come.”—Manuscript 123, November 17, 1897, “Christ’s Commission.”

Pastor Joseph made a reference about being the “Cleanest Tool in the Toolbox,” during church service. He also said the cleanest tool is never used or perhaps the least used. People we have been given gifts from God and are not using them, then we are not being true followers of Jesus. 

Jesus gives His disciples this instruction. It is not a suggestion but an instruction that is also for you and I today. Will you go and tell the world about all the goodness of Jesus and what He has done for all of us? Or will you keep it bottled up inside for yourself. I pray that you join the many followers of Jesus and put to “Work” your “Faith” today. May you have peace and comfort in our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. 

And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. Mark 16:15-16 

— Chaplain Ron