The Orange Rose

When you think of a rose, pink or red are probably the first colors which come to mind, but there are also orange roses. Orange roses are meant to symbolize enthusiasm or desire. They may be called "fiery blooms," because of their underlying message of passion and excitement. Looking at the Bible, Jesus is always calling believers to passionately share their faith. He doesn't want us to just SAY we believe in Him and go to church on Sundays as part of our weekly ritual, but he wants us to take ACTION! Proverbs 12:14 says, "People will be rewarded for what they say, but they will also be rewarded for what they do!" James, the half brother of Jesus Christ and also one of His disciples, states very clearly that faith and actions go hand in hand. "Dear friends, do you think you'll get anywhere in this [life] if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, "Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!" and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup- where does that get you? Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?" (James 2:14-17). James is trying to say that Jesus wants us to be fired up for Him! He wants us to have such enthusiasm and desire for Him that it is seen in our actions! Instead of just attending church and having a glazed look on our face, not really paying attention to the message being preached, we need to PAY ATTENTION, so we can go LIVE what we learn! Pam Gibbs said "The things you do because you believe in God and His Word breathe life into your faith!" So let your faith come alive! Let God turn your black rose of dead faith into an orange rose of enthusiasm to go out and live for Him!