James 2:14-19 tells us, "What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that God is one (meaning that there is only one true living God). Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder."
Many who make the claim to know Christ have an "I paid at the office" mentality when it comes to serving and giving. They go to their local church, pay their offering, and then expect that God will use these funds to help those who are in need. Many actually believe these offerings will reach those who need it most. Regrettably, only a small portion of these offering may ever reach those who are in most need. Why? Because the local church has to first tend to their needs, such as paying their bills & pastor(s), re-stocking their church supplies, sending money out to missions (to show they are doing their part), and finally what is left may be used for the needy. This is not serving the kingdom of heaven! This is feeding the establishment. How sad that so many are trapped within a system the fosters such a worldly approach to what they call "doing their part."
"As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." James 2:26 The Lord never told us to build an institution in His name and use it for weekly social gatherings to satisfy the human need for belonging. In fact, Jesus taught us to deny our own worldly needs in order to become His humble servants to reach the world. Instead, many trade their responsibility to be a true servant to become nothing more than part of a manmade society that calls themselves "Christian," and yet deny the very things that are defined by this term -- to be Christ-like! When will the true Church wake up from their churchgoing mentality to join in the true harvest Christ has called us into! So, yes, you can hold onto your weekly worldly practice of being a Christian in name, really no more than a member of the local church system, or you can repent and follow Jesus as a true servant of His kingdom to reach the world.
If you have not watched this video yet, you should do so if you want to follow Christ: https://youtu.be/nRSJ_2WvnIs
Many who make the claim to know Christ have an "I paid at the office" mentality when it comes to serving and giving. They go to their local church, pay their offering, and then expect that God will use these funds to help those who are in need. Many actually believe these offerings will reach those who need it most. Regrettably, only a small portion of these offering may ever reach those who are in most need. Why? Because the local church has to first tend to their needs, such as paying their bills & pastor(s), re-stocking their church supplies, sending money out to missions (to show they are doing their part), and finally what is left may be used for the needy. This is not serving the kingdom of heaven! This is feeding the establishment. How sad that so many are trapped within a system the fosters such a worldly approach to what they call "doing their part."
"As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." James 2:26 The Lord never told us to build an institution in His name and use it for weekly social gatherings to satisfy the human need for belonging. In fact, Jesus taught us to deny our own worldly needs in order to become His humble servants to reach the world. Instead, many trade their responsibility to be a true servant to become nothing more than part of a manmade society that calls themselves "Christian," and yet deny the very things that are defined by this term -- to be Christ-like! When will the true Church wake up from their churchgoing mentality to join in the true harvest Christ has called us into! So, yes, you can hold onto your weekly worldly practice of being a Christian in name, really no more than a member of the local church system, or you can repent and follow Jesus as a true servant of His kingdom to reach the world.
If you have not watched this video yet, you should do so if you want to follow Christ: https://youtu.be/nRSJ_2WvnIs
