My title for this devotion is Faith vs Works.

I was listening to one of the leaders of the church last night as he was telling of the impact of the Gospel in Liberia and Niger. The Christians there have built schools to teach the kids and the Muslims are sending their children to the school. Not only are they learning the 3 R’s but they are also hearing about Jesus. In fact, the parents are saying, “Teach our children. It’s not too late for them to hear about God.” When told it is not too late for them, their response is “Yes, it is too late for us but not for them.” Some of the children are abandoned. Some are orphans due to war.

What is making a difference? The church putting feet to its faith. It’s that way all over the world. Churches big/small; rich/poor; suburban/rural; black/white; public/meeting in private; you name it, are putting feet to their faith and showing Christ in their actions.

I read that some of the early reformers (specifically Luther and Calvin) rejected the limited view of vocation, that serving Jesus belonged to the clergy. There is, in my mind, no such thing as a “professional Christian.” Lives are being changed around the world not because pastors/clergy are getting “with the program” (as I call it), but because individual followers of Christ and churches are getting involved in peoples’ lives.

I saw it put this way: What matters is not faith and works; it is not faith or works; it is faith that works.

“Father, give me the strength and the wisdom to put feet to my faith, to have a faith that works. Help me to keep my eyes open today for those who need You and need to see an active and caring faith.”