SALVATION EVIDENCED BY SERVICE

And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ —Matthew 25:40

And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’—Matthew 25:45

And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life. —Matthew 25:46

Who are the fellow believers in need that you and I are helping? There is plenty of need in the body of Christ, the church. We are told that “as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:10). Many professed followers of Jesus are not involved in regular ministry to other believers who have needs. Nor are they involved with the lost who have needs. We do not have to wonder about areas of ministry the Lord wants His people involved in. He shows us.

The above verses in context make it clear that those who follow the Lord Jesus Christ will be involved in areas such as helping the hungry & thirsty, giving hospitality to strangers, helping those in need of clothes, caring for the sick and visiting those in prison. James 1:27 adds looking out for orphans and widows as other areas of service. Isaiah 58:6 also mentions loosing the chains of injustice and setting the oppressed free.

God’s Word is clear that we are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-10), but that salvation by grace will give evidence by works/deeds/serving in our lives. James 2:14-26 tells us that someone who says they have faith but that it is not backed up by the evidence of deeds, then that faith is a dead faith.

How about you and I as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ— is there evidence of our faith shown by serving God and serving others? May it be so!

Dear Father, I want to thank You for the free gift of salvation through Your Son, Jesus. I know that my service to You and to others is out of my love and gratitude for what You have done for me. I know that deeds do not save me, but gives evidence that I am saved. Yes, I desire to serve You out of loving gratitude— to love You and to love people as You desire. May I be faithful in this.