Evidence Of A Redeemed Life

 

As Christians we understand that the gift of Christ’s salvation is imparted to us by his grace.  It is through our faith in believing his promises are true that we are able to then receive it.  We further acknowledge that by works alone it would be impossible for us to earn this great redemption.  It is a gift given out of Christ's mercy & love that we could simply never repay. 

 

Yet while it is absolutely true that we receive redemption by faith & not by works, this does not discount the fact that as professed believers we are required to provide the behavioral evidence of our faith.  In fact James, Christ’s brother, made some very pointed comments directed at those who were confusing the faith-works issue in his day. 

 

Yea, a man may say,

Thou hast faith, & I have works:

Shew me thy faith without thy works,

& I will shew thee my faith BY my works.

James 2:18

 

James also provided us with a concrete example of the nature of the works we are expected to manifest:

 

If a brother or sister be naked & destitute of daily food,

16-And one of you say unto them,

Depart in peace, be you warmed & filled;

Notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body;

What doth it profit?

17-Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

James 2:15-17

 

When Christ was asked which was the greatest commandment of the law, he answered:

 

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,

& with all thy soul, & with all thy mind. 

38-This is the first & great commandment. 

39-And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

 40-On these two commandments hang all the law & the prophets.

Matthew 22:37-40

 

On the Passover evening prior to Christ’s arrest & shortly after washing the feet of his disciples he told them:

 

A new commandment I give unto you,

That ye love one another;

As I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35-By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,

if ye have love one to another.

John 13: 34-35

 

Elsewhere he said:

The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

38-Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest,

that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Matthew 9:37-38

 

 

The same way love locked into an unexpressed heart emotion frustrates & is ineffective at best, so is faith without works.  Admittedly, we all have different roles to play in the spreading of the Good News, but as Christians we are all expected to participate in some capacity to that end.  Some pray fervently, some preach, some nourish the bodies of those in need.  Whatever it is you choose to do remember that finding ways to demonstrate support, kindness & love to one another is what Christ said would identify us as his followers.

 

Christ's words:

Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

& glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16