The Holy Spirit draws and our works (should) validate.

Jesus said that we will be know by our love, or compassion. That was what I was referring to. By your faith, you were moved to compassion and met a need as Christ did so many times.

The gift card, of course, doesn’t save her. But Jesus feeding the 5000 didn’t save anyone either. It was an opportunity to touch the person.

I imagine taping a Chick tract to her door telling her she’s going to hell if she doesn’t accept Jesus would not have garnered the same response.

“Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Peter,[b] and then to the Twelve. 6After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. ”

What she saw was the outward expression of how that Gospel affected my life. I believe it was the true religion expressed by James but not the Gospel, the gift card will not save her soul no matter how much faith she has in it.

Through the Gospels, that’s what Jesus did: He taught and meets the physical needs of the people with whom He comes in contact.

Hope is the simplicity and practicality of the Good News and you extended that to Stephanie.

Well done.