At the midweek Lenten service Cheryl and I went to this week, the preacher spoke about faithfulness. It was a great message that encouraged me in my life as a follower of Jesus.

One thing the pastor mentioned in his message was the expert in the Law who asked Jesus, “Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

“Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37–39)

I really like what that preacher said next: “To love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind is faith. To love your neighbor as yourself is faithfulness.”

Faith is obviously of supreme importance.

“…without faith it is impossible to please God…” (Hebrews 11:6)

Faith is what grabs hold of what Jesus accomplished for you and the rest of the world when He lived a perfect life that He used to pay for sin. Faith receives that gift. That is what saves you.

Once you have that faith, you need to put it into action. Love your neighbor. Help her. Be kind to him. Show the love of Jesus by what you do. It is the proper response to having received God’s abundant grace in your life, knowing you have forgiveness and the absolute certainty of life eternal. Faith in action

“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.” (James 2:17-18)

Let others see your saving faith in Jesus today by the way you live, what you do, your faithfulness.