Faith or Fear

 

Jas 2:14  What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:15  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Jas 2:17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

We have faith to ask God for our own needs, but what of the needs of others? One thing about Christianity is that many come to a church when they are in need of food or gas money. Another religion coerces or kills the "infidels." They grow because of fear and fear is respect. How much more should we fear and respect the Living God? I think often the world plays the church as a con artist would. They ask for favors, but secretly many do not respect the one giving help; they have no fear of God. We are to do good because Jesus did the good works of his Father and it brings glory to God the Father. He gave all to us and by giving to others we are giving back to Jesus. We cannot out give God. If some people come with wrong motives, perhaps they will change?

1Pe 2:12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.