Acting on our faith
Last week we spoke about taking action. Why is it important to take action? James says faith without works is dead (James 2:17). This means that when we say we believe, we also act on that belief. If you say you believe that the your lift is working, but still insist on walking 20+ floors up and down, either you don't really believe that the lift works or you're a fitness nut. Simply believing that there is a God, or even that Jesus is God, isn't faith either. Again, James says even the demons believe and they tremble! (James 2:19)
Now, we know that salvation is by faith alone, so what does James mean? I believe what James is trying to say can be seen in James 2:14 "What good is it, my brothers, if a man CLAIMS to have faith but has no deeds". Notice how James says that the man merely claims to have faith, with no evidence that he actually does. I believe that one of the gravest dangers of failing to take action on our faith is that we end up deceiving ourselves "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22. So, if we merely claim to have faith but don't act on it, we may be deceiving ourselves as to our faith. And since faith saves, it's kinda scary.
I can tell I'm potentially wandering into disputable territory here, so I'll change focus. Deception is a funny thing. The devil isn't going to tell you - come, follow me, wallow in sin, for I am the father of lies. He's far more likely to say something like "you know, you need to spend time with your family and be a good Mum. I'm sure God is not so petty as to check whether you attend church today." Or maybe "You need to be a reliable provider for your family. There's so much to do at work, and you have so little leave, there's just no way you can go for that prayer meeting" Or even "You've already talked to your friend about how much you enjoy church. There's no need to ask him whether he wants to go to church with you, since that would be pushing it".
And it's these little things that slowly deceive us into thinking that hey, we're OK. And this is the worst thing that could possibly happen. And God knows this - as He says in Revelation 3:15-16
"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Look - God says He'd rather we were cold than half-hearted. Because when we're half-hearted, we think we're OK and there's no impetus to change.
And that's when someone needs to tell us. WAKE UP! If you saw your son or daughter going wrong, would you not, as a parent, correct the child? That's what you can do for your brothers and sisters. Unfortunately, this is also the point when people start feeling weird about staying in community. Hey, who wants to be told they're going wrong, especially when it feels like they're doing OK? Leave me alone in my middle-class comfort please, who are you to judge right?!
So my encouragement this week is (a) take action (b) don't be deceived that inaction or half-action is adequate and (c) listen if someone tells you that you are not in action. You may think you are, but are you sure?
The Word says that to put on the belt of truth (Eph 6:14). Why is truth equated with a belt, and why is the truth mentioned as the first piece of the armour of God? Because it holds things together. Knowing the truth keeps us on the right path. And how do we ascertain the truth? By His Word AND in His community.
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matt 5: 14-16
Now, we know that salvation is by faith alone, so what does James mean? I believe what James is trying to say can be seen in James 2:14 "What good is it, my brothers, if a man CLAIMS to have faith but has no deeds". Notice how James says that the man merely claims to have faith, with no evidence that he actually does. I believe that one of the gravest dangers of failing to take action on our faith is that we end up deceiving ourselves "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22. So, if we merely claim to have faith but don't act on it, we may be deceiving ourselves as to our faith. And since faith saves, it's kinda scary.
I can tell I'm potentially wandering into disputable territory here, so I'll change focus. Deception is a funny thing. The devil isn't going to tell you - come, follow me, wallow in sin, for I am the father of lies. He's far more likely to say something like "you know, you need to spend time with your family and be a good Mum. I'm sure God is not so petty as to check whether you attend church today." Or maybe "You need to be a reliable provider for your family. There's so much to do at work, and you have so little leave, there's just no way you can go for that prayer meeting" Or even "You've already talked to your friend about how much you enjoy church. There's no need to ask him whether he wants to go to church with you, since that would be pushing it".
And it's these little things that slowly deceive us into thinking that hey, we're OK. And this is the worst thing that could possibly happen. And God knows this - as He says in Revelation 3:15-16
"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Look - God says He'd rather we were cold than half-hearted. Because when we're half-hearted, we think we're OK and there's no impetus to change.
And that's when someone needs to tell us. WAKE UP! If you saw your son or daughter going wrong, would you not, as a parent, correct the child? That's what you can do for your brothers and sisters. Unfortunately, this is also the point when people start feeling weird about staying in community. Hey, who wants to be told they're going wrong, especially when it feels like they're doing OK? Leave me alone in my middle-class comfort please, who are you to judge right?!
So my encouragement this week is (a) take action (b) don't be deceived that inaction or half-action is adequate and (c) listen if someone tells you that you are not in action. You may think you are, but are you sure?
The Word says that to put on the belt of truth (Eph 6:14). Why is truth equated with a belt, and why is the truth mentioned as the first piece of the armour of God? Because it holds things together. Knowing the truth keeps us on the right path. And how do we ascertain the truth? By His Word AND in His community.
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matt 5: 14-16
Comments