When my husband attended a Christian college, he had numerous Bible classes. One professor had a habit of singing a spiritual song during the testing process as he walked up and down the aisles. One day he was singing, “Will there be any stars, any stars in my crown…” One brave student sang out, “No not one, no not one…” Many chuckled, including the professor!
Will there be any stars in my crown? Will there be any stars in your crown? It is a very good question. The works of Christ’s followers are not meritorious. They are done to shine forth to the glory of God (Matthew 5:16). They likewise are a demonstration of our faith. James said, Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works… You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Faith without works is dead (vs. 14-24). The good deeds of Christians are works of obedience. We could never earn our way into heaven. The earliest Christians leave a good example of such works.
Brothers and sisters provided for the needs of others. Dorcas made garments for widows (Acts 9:38-42). She was so involved in their care that when she died, Peter was called to come quickly. Upon arriving he found her deceased body in an upper room. He prayed and said, “Tabitha, arise.” She rose from the bed and he presented her to the astonished believers. Her good deeds were the impetus for her resurrection, which gave her the distinction of being the first person in new church to be raised. A Christian’s good works follow them beyond the grave, continuing to bless others!
Believers prayed for saints in distress. When Herod saw that putting James to death pleased the Jews, he arrested Peter, put him in prison and shackled him between two guards. Meanwhile, Luke says, Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church (Acts 12:5). During the night an angel appeared and released him. James reminds us, the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16b). No doubt, the prayers of the church for Peter were heard and answered.
Saints prayed before making important decisions, So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed (Acts 14:23). This very thing occurs in churches today. The body of Christ prays before appointing shepherds and deacons, and sending out missionaries to their important work. Every part of our lives, big or small, should be guided with prayer. The year 2020, with its Covid-19 and other serious challenges, brought people to their knees, begging for God’s healing. Their effectual, fervent prayers were answered. Many people recovered. Praise God! Paul wrote, Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6).
Christians were helpers. In his letter to the Romans, Paul mentioned the good works of brothers and sisters, I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also (Romans 16:1-3).
Everything we do to serve others and draw them closer to Jesus bears fruit for the Lord. Paul explained, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10). Paul wrote similarly to the Ephesians, For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). God designed us in advance specifically to be involved in good works!
Will there be any stars in my crown? Will there be any stars in yours?
Today’s Verses: This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples (John 15:8). Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” (Revelation 4:13).
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By Teresa Hampton