FROM THE TOP
LELAND ACKER
James 3:18 says, "Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works." Jesus said in Matthew 7:16 that you know a man by his fruits.

Both of these verses support the fact that if you have faith, if you are a person of faith, it will show in your actions.

When Collin Carroll passed away on July 28, we lost a great man of faith. Collin not only professed to know Christ, he lived that faith every day.

It was reported in the Aug. 1 issue of the Cherokeean Herald that Collin was a committed young man whose purpose in life was helping others. At a time when most men his age are finishing college and chasing the dollar signs, Collin dedicated six months of his life to helping others in a land where hope seems in short supply.

What motivates a young man to pay for the opportunity to go overseas to help others? What gives a man the courage to secure a Liberian driver's license in order to travel to orphanages to pick up patients in a country that is not necessarily friendly to the U.S.?

Faith. Faith in the Man (Jesus Christ), faith in the plan (salvation by grace through faith) and faith in the place (God's Kingdom).

Faith changes our outlook on life. It affects how we view the here and now, and the hereafter.

In the here and now, faith gives us courage and security. We don't worry about how we'll provide for ourselves, because God promised to do that (Matthew 6:33).

We don't worry about our safety, because God has given His angels charge to minister to those who shall be the heirs of salvation (Hebrews 1:13).

We don't feel lonely because Christ promised never to leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

And we know that all things work to the good for those who love God and are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

We don't worry about the hereafter because we know what waits on the other side (John 14:1-6).

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego displayed this type of faith when they told Nebuchadnezzar that God could deliver them from the furnace, but even if He didn't, they still would not worship his idolatrous statue. They knew (and had faith) that God would either deliver them or take them home.

Collin could show us his faith. Can you show yours? Do you have faith? Do you know Christ as your Savior?