WHAT WE MUST HAVE 4

WE MUST DO GOOD WORKS
James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

If we are going to really be fruitful Christians we must do good works. We can talk about our faith, we can tell others how much we believe the Bible and we can even tell others how much difference Jesus has made in our lives. If we fail to put what we believe into practice we are not going to be good witnesses.

We can talk all we want to about forgiveness but if we go around holding grudges all the time we are not very convincing. We can talk about the Golden Rule and how we really believe it but if we fail to treat others as we wish to be treated no one is going to think we really believe it.

Someone was once talking about the different versions and translations of the Bible. A man remarked, "I like my mother's version the best." When he was asked what that version was, he answred, "She translated the Bible into her everyday activities and she truly lived it."

That, I believe is the definition of faith with works. Translate the Bible into your life, and live it.

THE FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH

2 Timothy 4:6-8 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is athand. {7} I have fought a good fight, I have finished course, I have kept the faith: {8} Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

There are many types of followers of Jesus but I believe the ones that bring Him the most honor are the ones who are faithful unto death.
I have sat by the deathbed of some saintly old senior citizens and have even been in the room as some of the passed on to be with the Lord. There was no struggle, there was no fighting it. There was just a peace that passes all understanding.
I have heard many who were nearing their departure talk of going home as if it was a place they knew well and that they longed for.
One day will come when we have done all that God placed us here to do and then too it will be time for us to go. It will be wonderful if we can say I am now ready to be offered. I have fought a good fight and I have followed Jesus to the very end.

BE FAITHFUL

Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

This verse of scripture was written by John just before he was to reveal to us the terrible tribulation of the last days. His message was plain, be faithful.
When things are going your way, be faithful. When things turn against you, be faithful. Even if you are persecuted be faithful.Think abou the word faithful. It means full of faith. Not faith in your abilities or your own strength but faith in a Great and Mighty God who is all powerful.
Remember Who it is that we have faith in. He is the Creator of all things. He is the sustainer of all things. All that there is, is because of Him. He is a Holy God and he has made promises to those who believe that He will never break because of His Holy nature.
John said it well, "Be thou faithful unto Death
The next few days devotionals will be lessons on how to be faithful. I hope you receive a blessing from them.