Faith and Good Works

From John Wesley:
"We are doubtless 'justified by faith.' This is the cornerstone of the whole Christian building . . . but [good works] are an immediate fruit of that faith ...So that if good works do not follow our faith, even all inward and outward holiness, it is plain that our faith is nothing worth."

Many people are quick to quote Martin Luther’s calling of the book of James as the “Epistle of Straw” but they don’t know the context in which Martin Luther said this nor do they know that he defended James at other times in his life.

Paul wrote, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith," and we are "created in Christ Jesus to do good works" (Ephesians 2:8, 10 New International Version). James summarized this concept simply and concisely, telling us that "faith without works is dead" (James 2:20).

How is the relationship between faith and good works played out in your life?

Doers of the Word

James 1: 19 You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for your anger does not produce God's righteousness. 21 Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.

It is easy to complain about things. It is much more challenging to actually do something about it.

It is one thing to want to do something and another entirely to know what to do and how to do it.
One of the roles of the church is to provide a place and a structure to be in active mission. We provide opportunities to serve.

Here is the challenge for this week. If someone asked you how they could be in service through our church this next week – what would we tell them?

Help me out – leave a comment on the blog or email me back:
10 ways to be in ministry this week

A morning prayer

This is the prayer I quoted in Sunday's sermon which is credited to Edward F. Markquart's mother:

“O God, this morning I come into the stillness of your presence to begin this day with you, so that out of this moment, I may take with me a quiet serenity and strength to last me all day long. I have come to find wisdom, so I do not make any foolish mistakes. I have come to find peace, so that nothing would worry or upset me all through today. I have come to find love so that nothing would make me bitter, unforgiving or unkind. I have come to find justice, so that I would always work for the poor and disadvantaged in the world. I have come to begin this day with you, continue it with you, and end it with you, so that this would be a day which has nothing to regret. Here this morning prayer, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.”