Dear Family and Friends,

It seems I’ve been telling Aileen more and more often these days – gee, getting old sucks.

Yup, it’s that time for yet another season in life. I now realize why my father moved so slowly in his later years. My physical limitations tell me that serving at church like I once did is no longer an option…

And that’s why reading James 2 is now causing me to question myself. Especially the way it ends.

“For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”  James‬ ‭2‬:‭26‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This verse is like a wake up call. It tends to invoke questions like: Am I doing enough? Is my faith falling asleep? Since I don’t serve like before, what should I be doing?

Simply put, it’s a verse that humbles and convicts me.

Does it do the same for you? Or worse, does this verse cause you to question your salvation?

Let’s first make sure we understand what James is saying.

This verse is definitely not saying that one needs to do good works to earn salvation.

James is essentially saying that if our faith is authentic, our faith will naturally move us to do good works.

Good works does not lead to salvation. Salvation leads to doing good works.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

Now if you are worried about your salvation, let me try to put that to rest.

The fact that you are reading this message tells me, and more so God, that you are on your way to doing good works.

How can that be?

Despite what you may have heard at church, good works is not limited to serving at church.

Good works include learning God’s word and then obeying HIs commands. Jesus told His disciples, “If you love me, keep my commands.” John 14:15 NIV

Good works include loving and caring for others, showing them kindness and compassion.

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”  Matthew 25:35-40 NIV

Good works include being like Jesus so others come to Christ.

The unfortunate truth is most non-Christians say they will not follow Jesus because of the behaviors they see in Christians.

The most effective way to bring people to Jesus is to model Him, and if you must – use words. Wherever God has placed you. 

“Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them.” 1 Corinthians 7:17 NIV 

Man’s first assignment was not to start a church or spend all day at the Temple. It was to care for God’s creation.

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”  ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God assigned the work of the Temple including praising the Lord with musical instruments to the tribe of Levi. (See 1 Chronicles‬ ‭23‬:‭4‬-‭5)

All the other tribes lived in and worked the land as assigned by the Lord. Thus it is for most of us.

Good works includes glorifying God in everything we do, wherever we are, to everyone we’re with, at all times.

Good works means always being mindful of our surroundings and asking ourselves:

How can I sacrificially serve others? How can I best display the character and values of Jesus? How can I be merciful and kind and loving like Jesus to those around me?

My life as the pastor of a church was lived in a Christian bubble. Ninety-nine percent of the people I interacted with were Christians. 

I’m not complaining, it was a wonderful experience. But it was hard to share the Gospel. 

Today, Aileen and I socialize and interact with more non-believers than believers. Our new friends know Whom we follow. But they see us not by our pastoral titles but as friends who care.

And when they are ready, we will be too. 

One already cornered me at a lunch with a myriad of questions. She later joined us at church. 

Good works is not hard work, it’s work that is good. 

Let me close by saying, as we do good works, let’s do so for the right reason – because of God’s mercy we are saved.

“Brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In love always,