Working Faith 2-9-08

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Why is faith without works always dead?
Does only God work in my future ahead?
Was I only created for church and fluff,
and am I (in His image) not good enough?

Did Jesus do nothing - but only believed,
and sweat drops like blood, but never received,
the whippings, the insults, the anger and scorns,
the judgment, the nails, the sharp crown of thorns?

If sweat were sufficient then where would I be -
without His great work on that cross just for me?
His faith produced work - and the love in God's grace,
forgave me right here as He hung in disgrace.

"Forgive them," He said, "they know not what they do."
The work was soon finished - for me and for you.
"Abba, Father!!" to God Jesus cried!!
Yes, God worked a miracle - and then Jesus died.

So can miracles happen if I only believe,
sit on my hands, excuses to weave?
If I'm to be Christ-like, if I'm to show love -
the work found within me gets strength from above.

Yes, faith without works will always be dead -
but don't believe me, for that's what God said.
I'm made in His image. I can't sit around.
And where there is need, Lord, let me be found!

Do I leave my neighbors with, "Have a nice day"
or bring them to Jesus in my special way?
In His image - in my own special place,
He gave me a mission none else can replace.

To grasp His faith, His work, His loss,
I, in His image, must too bear my cross.
I’m a mere nothing but a void, hollow shell,
unless true working faith brings His miracle...

©2008 louis gander ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
ganderpoems.org

Genesis 5:1(KJ)
"This is the book of the generations of Adam.
In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;"

James 2:26 (NASB)
"For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead."

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