Dearly beloved, it is important to remind you that the way to glorify your father in heaven is through your good works. As it is written, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” It does not matter how many days of prayer and fasting you observe. It does not matter if you speak the language of angels and demons. What counts are your good works. Things that are of benefit to your world. Things that people can see, and then glorify your father in heaven.
The Japan national football team and their fans have a reputation for cleaning the stadium after their matches. This is a very interesting character that has prompted people to take an interest in the Japanese culture and religion. What are their religious leaders teaching them? What is influencing them in this way? Al Jazeera decided to investigate and spoke with several Japanese fans about why they exhibit this admirable trait. Following Japan’s victory over Germany at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, one supporter stated: “Our hearts are clean, so the stands must be clean.” Another person stated: “What we’re taught is that leaving things cleaner than the way you found it is atarimae. And that we should always express gratitude.” Atarimae roughly translates as “stating the obvious,” which is correct in the sense that if you see trash, it should be picked up.
It is time to avoid vapid sloganeering. Empty words that offer nothing stimulating or challenging. Words that do not show any intelligence. Things like “I am a tithe paying believer”, “I am a firebrand Christian”. It is your good works that should make your faith attractive. Apostle Paul wrote, “so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:10-12 ESV). There is a way your day-to-day life can make the gospel attractive. Making people want to copy your productive culture. If your good works cannot do the talking, you are wrong.
