Read James 2:17-26
17 "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead....."
A gift needs to be accepted. I can buy the best gift I can think of and afford for someone, but if he/she/they do not accept it, it is a wasted effort. Non acceptance can be through silent rejection, recycling or any other way of getting rid of it. We all do it sometimes.
God's gift to us is Jesus. How do we show acceptance of that Gift? In the quoted verse James makes that pretty clear- that the way we show acceptance and appreciation of God's gift is through our actions.
As Rev. Francis Taylor says - "Our works will never earn us salvation, but it will let God know that we have accepted the gift".
Is God's gift reflecting in our day-to-day life? Do we show prejudice? Do we show integrity in even small things, at work or at home? An example of integrity, very common at work, is simply doing what one has promised to do. Not making a commitment and then making excuses.
Unless there are behavioral changes in our personal and professional lives, in line with the "Jesus's way", we really are not reflecting acceptance and gratitude of God's gift to us, are we? And if we don't, how then can we expect to be invited to the great banquet?
The difference between rapture and rupture is U.
Comments
Post a Comment