Following Christ must be demonstrated through the good things we do. It must be expressed in deeds done to ease the pain of others. It is imbued with personal sacrifice and it comes with a cost.
Christ has strong words for those who profess to be His followers but whose lives show no evidence of good works: "Why do they call me Lord, and do not do what I say? (Luke 4:46).
Once we believe that Jesus is Lord, our life must changed. We must do as He commanded.
But this does not mean that we earn our way to heaven. Rather, it is an assertion that one who has committed his life to Christ will bear quality fruit as evidence of the Lordship of Christ in one's life.
This is how James puts it: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (James 1:22). It is black and white - faith is not enough. Faith must be demonstrated ay actrions. True faith acts.
John says: "We know that we have come to know Him if we obey His commands. The man who says 'I know Him', but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him; whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did" (1 John 2:2-6)
If we claim to know Christ, but do not do what He commands, John said that we are liars.
Following Jesus is more than believing the right things. Our faith in Christ must be like the very air we breathe. It must permeate all aspects of our life - our worship, our vocation, our behavior at home and outside our home, our dealings with everyone around us - including the poor.
Christ has strong words for those who profess to be His followers but whose lives show no evidence of good works: "Why do they call me Lord, and do not do what I say? (Luke 4:46).
Once we believe that Jesus is Lord, our life must changed. We must do as He commanded.
But this does not mean that we earn our way to heaven. Rather, it is an assertion that one who has committed his life to Christ will bear quality fruit as evidence of the Lordship of Christ in one's life.
This is how James puts it: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (James 1:22). It is black and white - faith is not enough. Faith must be demonstrated ay actrions. True faith acts.
John says: "We know that we have come to know Him if we obey His commands. The man who says 'I know Him', but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him; whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did" (1 John 2:2-6)
If we claim to know Christ, but do not do what He commands, John said that we are liars.
Following Jesus is more than believing the right things. Our faith in Christ must be like the very air we breathe. It must permeate all aspects of our life - our worship, our vocation, our behavior at home and outside our home, our dealings with everyone around us - including the poor.
No comments:
Post a Comment