Off the Bench
“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can his faith save him?
If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it? In the same way faith, if it doesn’t have works, is dead by itself.
But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe—and they shudder.” - James 2:14-19 HCSB
Keeping with this week’s theme of Passion and asking ourselves “what is keeping us from doing it...”
Especially early in my high school and college basketball careers, I was often asked to come off the bench and make a quick impact on the game for my team. That is, my role for the team was to get off the bench and do something - provide a spark of energy with hustle or a quick basket or make a steal, whatever it maybe to help my team find a way to win.
Often times today, I have the opportunity to share about the need for and the importance of us to “get off the bench and doing something - get out of the pew and put our faith to work.”
And the questions ultimately come:
“How do we put our faith to work?”
In response, these 5 things came to mind:
1) By living out day to day, moment to moment what we say we believe. That is by glorifying God through our day to day living... through our work... through our fun... even in the mundane.
2) By doing what Jesus did - loving others, helping others, sharing life with others. Not because we have to but because He first did for us.
3) By going therefore - That is, by going to make disciples. Whether next door, down the hall, across the country or around the world. Put your faith into action.
4) By loving your neighbor as your self (goes back to number 2). And who is your neighbor? Everyone - even if they don’t look like you. Overcome hate and disdain with love. Shine where you are.
5) By taking up our cross daily and following Him... loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength - loving him with all that we are. Love like Jesus. See as He sees. Respond like would respond. Allow His heart to become our heart.
Let’s be clear - Faith and faith alone in Jesus Christ, the Son of God is what saves us. But as we live and grow in our faith in Him, we are called then to put our faith to work. So others can see Him in us... so others might know of His great love, grace and mercy.
Now is the time for us to shine, to be a light in a dark world... or at least our little part of it. Go now... “Get off the bench and do something... get out of the pew and put your faith to work.”
Keep the Faith... Carpe Diem.
