Passage of the Day:
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete,” Luke 6:46-49.
Reflection:
Luke appears to repeat the words of Jesus spoken at the end of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7:24-27. However, in this context, Luke is citing an open-ended question from a first century conversation that Jesus has with Christians. As Jesus noticed these individuals from afar, they wanted to be known as disciples, but their actions did not represent a faith built upon the teachings of Jesus. Faith isn’t something that you do like going to church. Rather, faith is a lifestyle, rooted in a personal relationship with Jesus, Colossians 2:6-7. You may try to be charitable, seeking to rely on your own strength. However, genuine charity can’t be faked.
Prayerful Action:
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds, James 2:17-18.
Learning to Love this Decembers as God Forgives You:
There is a fine line between being polite and faking faith in the form of charity. Depending upon the relationships that you have with family members, gatherings like Christmas can be difficult. As my parents once told me before arriving at grandparents, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it!” Despite this warning, some individuals know exactly how to get underneath your skin. This is where faith is tested and if you’re not spiritually prepared, your foundation of faith will be shaken. As you get ready to reunite with family this Christmas, be a doer of the Word.
Song of the Day:
Final Thoughts:
When I begin to struggle spiritually, this is one of the songs I lean on for encouragement. May the lyrics of My Anchor help restore your faith by building it on the foundation of Jesus’ teachings.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 