Some years back I met a lovely lady in our local supermarket. She was looking for nappies for a visiting grandchild - I looked like someone who knew about nappies and so she asked my opinion.
I realised she was German which was exciting because we'd just started learning German. She asked me if I was a Christian (she had guessed because I home educated and wore a similar style of clothing to her home educating Christian daughter).
We became friends, and visited together several times, learning a little more German each time. We also learned that she and her husband (in her own words) " ... had been Buddists, but now we are Christians!" she said it with joy! Her new faith and openness to things of Christ was refreshing and exciting. She was excited to attend Bible studies and talk of many things to do with God.
Sadly, events in our lives prevented any further visits.
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Last Sunday on waking I felt a strong urging from God to attend a church. I asked God "Which one?". I haven't attended our family church for many months now for various reasons.
I was pretty sure I knew which one I was to attend and I prayed "Please tell someone, ahead of time, that I will be there!" When I told my husband that God wanted me to go somewhere, he said "Of course." I said "Why did you say that?" "Because you listen to God" he said. Then he prayed for me, and I felt sure I knew where God wanted me.
So it was just myself, my toddler and my 6 year old who pulled up outside the old stone church on the other side of town on Sunday morning. And the first people I saw getting out of their car was our German friend and her husband. She was delighted to see me. "You know we have a speaker here this morning?"
"No - I didn't know. God told me to come this morning."
"Ah, then it will because of the speaker." She said with certainty.
I figured she was possibly right, and I was keen to hear what he had to say!
Church is not the easiest environment for our 6 year old who has Sensory Processing Disorder along with the family trait of Asperger's. But he did his best.
Then during the message from the visiting speaker he said the most wonderful thing.
"Because faith without works is dead! Works is the application of faith."
He said a little more to confirm that, and then said "Oh! That wasn't supposed to be in my message - maybe that blessed someone?" And I put up my hand.
Why was it a blessing?
For the last few years I believe I have received an unbalanced message on "faith and works". Not, as you might think with the weight on WORKS. Quite the opposite.
A teaching, a permission, to back off with the works, to take it easy with works ... its all about faith.
But what does James 2 say:
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
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?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
I knew it, my family knew it, but it was a rich blessing to hear it via a man who was listening to God.
Having seen my German friend at that church, and hearing the whole message delivered by that speaker, I have much to think on.
