DECEMBER 24, Hebrews 11:8-10, 13

Debbie’s parents are active church members and love the Lord dearly. Since she was young, they would bring her along to church. Now 11 years old, Debbie claims to have faith in Jesus, and tells her parents she is a Christian because she once said the prayer of salvation, asking Jesus to come into her life to be her Saviour and Lord. However, her parents are sad.

Why? Because when they observe Debbie, they know that something is wrong. What she says does not square with her actions. Although Debbie claims to be a Christian, her attitude, behavior, and thinking as a Christian. Debbie remains proud and selfish. She is rude to her parents, unkind to her brother, disrespectful to her grandparents. She does well in school and likes to boast about it to others. What is wrong with Debbie? In all likelihood, Debbie is not a Christian. She does not have real faith in God. She may think she is saved, but she is not.

Why? Because, as today’s Bible reading teaches, real faith will be seen in what we do. Abraham was a man of faith, and we saw that in what he did. Was Abraham a perfect man? No. When we become Christians, do we become perfect? No. All Christians continue to sin, but all Christians should sin less and less. They should be growing in the knowledge of God’s Word, and also growing in being a better person as taught in the Bible.

Dear child, how about you? Are you saved? If so, there must be differences in your life. You should be kinder, more patient, and more willing to share. At the same time, you would be less proud, and not wanting to take revenge. There are just so many areas of our lives we can improve on. To be a Christian is not an easy thing because our old self in us still demands that we put ourselves before others. We still get angry easily and we want our way done. Dear child, if you have faith in God, your life must change for the better.

Thought: May I have faith that is seen in my action!

Prayer: Father in Heaven, I pray for myself – that I would really change for the better as I want to be the Christian You want me to be. And I pray that You can use me to be a good example so that others can see my changed life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.