We left off yesterday in awe of God’s love and generous rewards for us, both in this life and the life to come. Considering the revelation of who God is, what He has done for us and what He has in store for us, our natural response is none other than praise and worship. Like the 24 elders and the heavenly hosts, we realize He alone is worthy of our praise and adoration, and we give it to Him through songs, prayers, shouts and dances etc…but it does not end there. Unlike the heavenly hosts, we are still here on earth and worship cannot be the only response to God’s love. Because we are still living in a broken world with broken people who are yet to taste and embrace God’s love, we need to couple our worship with acts of love. Our faith in God must bear fruit. Not only fruit that are for our personal nourishment, like we discussed in Days 4 & 5 (living and persevering in faith) but fruit that will nourish others, “our neighbour”. James illustrates it beautifully in the passage below: 

“If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?Thus, also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” James 2:15-17 

After all we discussed in the past 6 days, we believe that you are now grounded in what faith is about and what rewards await those who live and persevere in faith in God, but our faith will be dead if it is not followed by works. These works emanate from the overflow of love that has now been poured in our hearts as a result of our faith in the one true God. 

“Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” Ephesians 5:1-2 

Because we have faith in God and believe that we are His children, we ought to behave like Him and walk in love! If we truly believe that He has forgiven us, we ought to forgive others. If we truly believe that He is our provider, we ought to be generous: If we truly believe that encountering Him changes life then we ought to talk about Him so more lives around us are changed for the better. We are now Christ ambassadors, and we ought to live up to this calling. 

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20 

Always remember this: Faith that does not produce deeds or works of love is dead. So go out there and live a faith filled life, that bears much fruit in your personal life and that of all those who will cross your path! We bless you in the name of the Lord: may He keep you; make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; may He lift His countenance upon you and give you peace. 

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, may You perfect my faith in You and enable me to daily put my faith to work by practicing deeds inspired by Your Spirit and rooted in love. May my light shine forth before others, so they may see the good deeds You perform through me, and they may glorify You and turn to You. Lord, uphold me with your righteous hand so that my faith may be clothed with love and humility, and that I may not stumble. Father, as my love for You grows, I pray You may also increase my faith in You. In Jesus’ name, amen!