I am sorry that I was not able to post the verses this week. I have been very ill with a lung infection. I am doing a little better, but I am still not that great. I have to go back in to see the doctor on Tuesday. Please pray that I will get to feeling better. I do hope to get back in the swing of things on the blog this week starting with the sermon being posted today. I hope that all of you are doing well.
For the past three weeks or so, we have been studying some of what the Bible has to teach us in regard to faithfulness. We've looked at faithfulness in sacrifice, faithfulness in holiness and we saw that God is always faithful to us and to His word even when we lack in our faithfulness to Him.
Today, I want us to look at what the Bible has to say about being faithful in doing what is good. First of all, the Bible is quite clear that those of us who have been redeemed by the grace of God are called to do good deeds in this world. Ephesians 2:10 states, "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." This means that when we are born again, we are called by God to go out and do good in this world and make it the best that it can be until the day when Jesus returns to this world in power and great glory.
Just for added emphasis on the fact that those who are in Christ are to be out trying to do good in this world we have the passage from the book of James that let's us know that faith that does not produce good works is a dead faith. It is an example of an empty profession of faith and not a true possession of faith.
What type of good works should we be faithful in doing. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 13:16 that part of being faithful in doing good is sharing what we have with others. This verse states, "And do not forget to do what is good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."
We also know from the teachings of Jesus what type of good works that we are to be doing in this world. We are to be faithful in doing good to the least of those among us. We are to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and help the vulnerable and hurting people in our society and world. Jesus told us that when we have done it unto the least of those among us, we've done it unto Him.
Just as a side note, there is a movement among conservative Christians right now that is saying that empathy for others who are hurting is a type of a sin. This is false in every way. Jesus in His ministry was all about empathy. He felt the pain and hurt of others, and He worked to alleviate it. That is what He has called us to do. We are to weep with those who weep. We help the broken and hurting in the name of Jesus because that is what He did.
Jesus was clear, we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. We are to treat others in the same way that we want to be treated. When those claiming to be Christians try to get you to stop helping the hurting and vulnerable in society, what they are really trying to do is provide a religious justification for greediness and oppression.
In Galatians, the Bible tells us to never be weary in doing good. There are many problems in this world, and there are many people in this world who need our help. Christians must be at the forefront of helping this world be as good a place as it can be for everyone until Jesus returns.
During this Lenten season, and beyond, try to find ways to help others and to do good. As St. David the patron Saint of Wales said. we need to do be faithful in doing the little things. We need to in our own individual small ways contribute to the overall good in society. Each small good deed adds up into making a great world of difference. Amen.
Prayer Requests
Once again, please pray that I will get to feeling better. Thank you.
Pray for peace on this earth. Fighting has resumed in Gaza, pray for peace. Pray for release of the hostages. Pray for peace in Syria, Lebanon and Yemen. Pray for peace in Chad, Congo and Sudan. Pray for peace with justice in Ukraine.
Continue to pray for those recovering from natural disasters. Pray for those in Mayotte.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Maldives and India. Pray that many will come to know Jesus.
Next week, we will continue with our current series. I will post the verses on Tuesday. May God bless you all.
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