I don't know if it was there, or maybe there because I was consciously or subconsciously looking for it. Or if God just chose to reveal God's self to me through my scripture reading reading this morning--I guess that's the most likely. All of the scriptures pointed to action, what we do...our (gasp) works.

Relationship with God is a free gift from God. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) However, that salvation, that relationship, is not there unless evidenced by what we do. That is the clear understanding of scripture.

And it is a principle of life. No one cares what I believe, very, very few care what I write or say. Everyone cares what I do. Am I exuding grace, forgiveness, and love? Am I lightening someone's load? Am I facilitating their path toward God? That's what matters.