APRIL 11

James 2:14-17

                                        FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD

Which is the first and great commandment? It is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. And  the second is to love our neighbours as ourselves. In the Christian life faith and deeds go together. One without the other is useless, as James said.

Here are some day-to-day things that illustrate why one item is dependent on another. Consider a clock – you can’t tell time correctly by cutting off the hour-hand of the clock. Also, you cannot ride a bicycle with one of its  wheels removed So, faith without works is like the clock without the hour-hand or the bicycle with just one wheel. They would be useless. Faith without works is  also useless because such faith is dead.

What is the opposite of dead faith?
 Answer: ___________ faith (unscramble VIIGLN).

God says in 1 John 4:20 that if anyone says he loves God but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he sees, cannot love God whom he has not seen. He who breaks the first commandment also breaks the second one. When you say you love others but  do not love God, you will be trying to love others with your own strength.
         
It is now the time to seriously examine yourself. Do your classmates know you are a Christian? Do your teachers know you are a Christian? What was the last act of kindness you have shown to your parents? If you have brothers and sisters, do you look out for their interests? Whom did  you last help? Who was the last person who had thanked you? From these  questions, you will know if you are living a life pleasing to God.

Thought: What can you do to show Christian love to your classmates?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please forgive me for my self-centredness. Please help me love the people around me and show them acts of kindness. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.