The Gospels (Matthew,
Mark, Luke and John) tell us about Jesus and his mission.
I think of the Gospels as a highway, the ones most quoted and read.
The other books of the bible, the
side streets, are just as powerful as you can read below in James
2:14-24,26.
-----
James 2:14-24
My friends, what good is it for one of you to say that
you have faith if your actions do not prove it? Can that faith save you? Suppose
there are brothers or sisters who need clothes and don't have enough to eat.
What good is there in your saying to them "God bless you! Keep warm and eat well!" If
you don't give them the necessities of life? So it is with faith: if it is
alone and includes no actions, then it is dead.
But someone will say "
one person has faith, another has actions." My answer is, "Show me how anyone
can faith without actions. I will show you my faith by my actions." Do you
believe that there is only one God? Good! The demons also believe and tremble
with fear. You fool! Do you want to be shown that faith without actions is
useless? How was our ancestor Abraham put right with God? It was through his
actions, when he offered his son Isaac on the altar. Can't you see? His faith
and his actions worked together; his faith was made perfect through his actions.
And the scripture came true that said, "Abraham believed God, and because of his
faith God accepted him as righteous." And Abraham was called God's friend.
You see, then, that it is by our actions that we are put right with God, and not
by our faith alone. So, then, as the body without the spirit is dead, also faith
without actions is dead.
-----
This Scripture supports Tina's experiences
in the Answered Prayer and Transference posts below.
She acted in concern for her friend and love for our Aunt. She could have easily chose differently. Her faith lead her to her actions and prayers.
This is James' message to us; .listen, pray and act.
Love is the highest power we have and is the
most under utilized. ~Barbara Monahan
Let's work on our capacity to love to over utilize
our highest power!
When we do this, we are living from the inside out.
Excellent! And let's not forget St.Paul who says of the three theological virtues: there is faith, hope and charity (love); and the greatest of these is (not faith but) charity/love, or, faith in action.
ReplyDeleteRight on, Cuz!
ReplyDelete;)
Delete