There is a pressing question that has been trending in Christian circles, and that question is, “If you were on trial, would you be found guilty of being a Christian?” It’s a challenging inquiry, one that probes beyond mere words and delves into the essence of our faith. In essence, it asks whether our lives reflect the beliefs we claim to hold.
In the bustling marketplace of theological debate, one topic often emerges: the interplay between faith and works. It’s a timeless discussion that has stirred the hearts and minds of believers for centuries. Some emphasize the importance of faith, citing verses like Ephesians 2:8-9, which declares, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Others underscore the significance of works, pointing to passages like James 2:17, which asserts, “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
In navigating this theological terrain, we find ourselves drawn to the teachings of Jesus himself. One poignant moment stands out—a conversation that illuminates the inseparable connection between faith and works. It’s found in the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus speaks about the judgment of the nations. He describes how the King will separate people as a shepherd separates sheep from goats. To those on his right, he says, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me” (Matthew 25:34-36).
In this profound passage, Jesus unveils a fundamental truth: authentic faith is not merely a matter of verbal profession; it manifests in tangible acts of love and compassion. He vividly portrays a scene where the righteous are distinguished by their deeds of mercy—feeding the hungry, quenching the thirsty, clothing the naked, welcoming strangers, visiting the sick, and ministering to those in prison. Astonishingly, they don’t even realize they’ve been serving the King himself.
Central to Jesus’ message is the principle of selfless giving—the willingness to sacrificially love others, even at personal cost. He paints a picture of a faith that is alive and active, a faith that permeates every aspect of life. It’s a faith that doesn’t remain stagnant but propels us to action, compelling us to embody the love of Christ in a broken and hurting world.
But what about those who profess faith yet fail to demonstrate it through their actions? Jesus addresses this as well. He speaks of those who, despite their outward confession, neglect to care for the least of these. To them, he solemnly declares, “Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me” (Matthew 25:45). Their faith, though vocalized, lacks the transformative power to impact lives and reflect the character of Christ.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to embody a faith that is both heard and seen—a faith that not only professes belief but also practices it in tangible ways. It’s about more than attending church services or reciting creeds; it’s about living out the radical love of Jesus in our daily interactions. It’s about extending grace to the marginalized, lifting up the oppressed, and standing in solidarity with the downtrodden.
So, would we be found guilty of being Christians if our lives were put on trial? May our answer be a resounding yes—not because of our eloquent words or theological knowledge, but because of the evident love that flows from our hearts and spills out into the world. May our faith be inseparable from our works, bearing witness to the transformative power of the gospel and shining brightly in a world longing for hope and redemption.
Lazarevic Ministries 