Faith and What Else?

"Very truly I tell you, all who have faith in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." John 14:12

Modern Christianity makes a big deal about having faith and "going to Heaven."  Jesus makes a big deal out of having faith and working like he did to reconcile the world with God's love. 

We are more concerned about "telling people about Jesus" than we are about feeding them, clothing them, giving them clean water to drink, forgiving them, encouraging them, eating with them, etc. We figure that if they'll just believe in Jesus, He'll take care of them (maybe not now, but at least after they die). 

Realize that Jesus never gave out a tract with "Steps to Peace with God" (I've looked...it's not in the Bible).  He showed the peace of God by having dinner with the outcasts.  When have we ever done that?  Or do we think giving out "Steps to Peace with God" is the "greater thing" Jesus says his followers will do?

The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians, "My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."

We must ask ourselves...are we persuading people to follow Christ or are we demonstrating Christ?  Paul realized he couldn't argue anyone into the Kingdom...why then are we still trying?  Of course there is a time for preaching and a time for reasoning, but not without a demonstration of Christ.  The willingness of a converted Pharisee (Paul) to talk about God with pagan Greeks is a demonstration in and of itself...before any words are spoken.

Let us continually check our actions and attitudes against those of Christ. 

ITRC