Jam 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
This seems so simple and yet it is one of the hardest things to grasp in the Christian life. My actions declare my faith. So what do I tell people when I am not speaking to them about Christ? Here are just a few thoughts I have on this subject.
- I cannot say that I am a man of faith without being a man of action. You will never believe or receive my confession of faith if my life does not demonstrate that faith. You have faith and I have actions. I can say but what do you see? I have faith in the Prince of Peace as I act angry and worried? I have faith God is compassionate and kind as I am hateful, hurtful, and rude? I have faith that God can supply all my needs as I complain about not having enough or tell everyone about my woes? Faith is not a vocal confession but a lifestyle.
- My faith comes out whether I want it to be displayed or not. I get into a stressful situation and default into worry and self-reliance. What does that say I believe about God? People of faith rest in God. Sure they may pray and even weep but their initial worry (concern) is God directed not inwardly directed.
- Faith is the evidence of things not seen. My actions tell you what I think deep within my heart. If I am a forgiving person, then I know forgiveness and believe that God forgives. If I tithe without thought it is an indicator I believe God can do more for my life on 90% than I can do with 100% of the 100% He gave to me.
I would love to see comments on some of the things you see as demonstrations of your faith. I have confessed some of my faults. You can give some of your positives or just things you think of as you read this.
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Hey there Jackie! Goodness its been a long time. But I was thinkin about you and thought I would check out any recent blogs you posted. I enjoyed this one and have this to add.
ReplyDeleteMatthew 7:15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
16 “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?
17 “So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.
18 “A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.
19 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 “So then, you will know them by their fruits.
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
22 “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’
23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’
I always try and keep this in mind when thinking on this subject. We always think about how good works is evidence of salvation to the people around us and that is definitely true. But one thing that doesn't get brought up so often is that fact that ,as evidenced here, Fruit/Good works is what God Almighty will also use to judge us. Not to say by any means that we are saved by works, may it never be so. But on that day of judgement when the sheep and goats are divided it will not be on account of the unseen faith that was in all of God's chosen. It will be on account of the Fruit that was produced by that God given faith.
I'll be comin down there sunday jackie, so if you have time I'd love to get together and have some good ole fellowship with the first calvinist I ever got to rant with ; )