Now that spring is in full bloom, I’ve been able to look around my yard to see what plants are alive and which have died. I have a test that I perform to tell the living from the dead….I look at it. Is the plant producing something? Is it budding, growing leaves, or producing seeds or fruit? If so, excellent, I have a plant that is alive. If not, then unfortunately it has died. I have found a few small trees and plants around my yard that are not showing any signs of life anymore. And soon there will be a bonfire with their name on it.
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:14-17)
Can people tell that we have a living faith just by look at us at? Are we producing anything? There’s no such thing as an ‘Idle Christian.’ And you certainly do want to be mistaken for a ‘dead tree’ when God is preparing a bonfire!
This week, make it a point to show your faith as boldly as you can to the world. Produce such vigorous growth that God will want to make you a center-piece in His garden! Can you imagine anything more fulfilling than pleasing our God like that?