Off the Bench

“Be on Mission with God. Do you want to have your life take on purpose and meaning? Then join God in his mission. I can remember when I first came to Christ. I had no purpose in life. I was living an empty and meaningless life. I made money to party for the weekend. But then I came to Christ. I realized I was a child of God. And God had a purpose for me. Every day became an adventure as I looked for ways that God was working and that I could join Him. Because I started living a life on mission.” 
- Pastor Tony Walliser

Often, I share about the importance of and the need for us to “get off the bench and do something – to get out of the pew and put our faith to work.”
 
“But how do we put our faith to work?”
 
In response to that question, these 5 things came to mind:
 
~ By living what we say we believe
(day by day, moment by moment)
That is by glorifying God through our day to day living... 
Through our work... 
Through our fun... 
Even in the mundane.
 
~ By doing what Jesus did
Be on mission with God…
Loving others… 
Helping others…
Sharing life with others…
Not because we have to, but because He first did for us.
 
~ By loving your neighbor as your self
(goes back to the previous one)
And who is your neighbor? 
Everyone…
Even if they don’t look like you….
Overcome hate and disdain with love…
Shine where you are.
 
~ By going therefore
That is, by going to make disciples. 
Whether next door…
Down the hall… 
Across the country… 
Or around the world…
Financially support missionaries – around the world and in our country
Put your faith into action.
Again… be on mission with God.
 
~ By taking up our cross daily and following Him... loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength
Loving him with all that we are….
Love like Jesus…
See as He sees…
Respond like would respond…
Allow His heart to become our heart. 
 
Let’s be clear - Faith and faith alone in Jesus Christ, the Son of God is what saves us. But as we live and grow in our faith in Him, we are called then to put our faith to work. So others can see Him in us... so others might know of His great love, grace and mercy.
 
Now is the time for us to shine, to be a light in a dark world... 
 
“Get off the bench and do something. Get out of the pew and put your faith to work.”
 
Keep the Faith… Carpe Diem

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can his faith save him?
If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it? In the same way faith, if it doesn’t have works, is dead by itself.
But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe—and they shudder.” 
- James 2:14-19 HCSB