 Give The Works 
"So also faith of itself, if it does
not have works, is dead." (1)
"He proposed another parable to
them.
"The kingdom of heaven is like
a mustard
seed that a person took and sowed in
a field.
It is the smallest of all the seeds,
yet
when
full-grown it is the largest of plants. It
becomes a large bush, and the 'birds of the
sky come and dwell in its branches.'"
(2)
Works Of Love
We stand before the face of God
When we stoop to wash our neighbor's
feet:
Faith without works is a façade --
A lip-synched hymn of vain deceit.
The motions of duty and chore,
Done out of guilt for favors owed,
Yield effort lost and nothing more:
Works without love -- what is bestowed?
The acts of hearts held by despair,
Are burdens dragged up a steep slope.
How can this drudgery compare
To works of love buoyed by hope?
From seeds of faith, works of the heart,
Take root and spread generously;
The fruits they bear wholly impart
The love that yields eternally.
(c) Paul Buis, 2002
_________________________
1. James 2:17
2. Matthew 13:31-31
|