We all know someone. You know, the person who claims to be a Christian. Yes, that one. The person who is all over the place with behaviors. Seriously, has he/she missed so much as to think nothing about behavior, both commission of sins and omissions of good deeds, matters? Maybe you are or have been that person. I know I have been that person and have areas in my life that I would rather not talk about.
James 2:18-19
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works. ”Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith by my works .19 You believe that God is one. Good! Even the demons believe — and they shudder.(CSB)
Many people have a kind of faith. Well, they have a belief system or an ideology. Having an ideology is not the same as having faith. There is a difference between acknowledging an idea and putting our trust in that idea. We say that we believe something, but often we behave oppositely. I think our culture misuses the term and idea of faith. Part of it stems from our identity. Americans tend to value individual freedom and autonomy above everything. It even flows into the thought that what I believe to be true is true because I believe it to be true. It runs through all of our society. Now, we don’t live in the physical world this way. We don’t step off cliffs because we want to be able to gently float to the bottom while enjoying the view. (OK some do, with devices to keep them air born…not me!) In order to really believe something, we must act as if it were real. Like jumping off cliffs….we use a parachute or hang glider or some such device. We behave in a way that is consistent with reality. Can we say the same for our spiritual life? Do we, do I behave in a way that is consistent with reality? Do I believe God will provide, but then worry and worry and worry about money? Do I believe that the Spirit lives in me and gives me power to live the Christian life, then willfully seek my own interests and engage in ungodly activities? Do I see the poor and believe that God will provide, but quench the Spirit when He asks me to share my blessings?
This is one of the toughest challenges we face. How do we walk in trust rather than opinion? How can we grow in our ability to have faith (trust in), rather to just give intellectual assent to belief in God?
Challenge:
- Do you believe in God? Have you given your life to Him? Now is as good of a time as any to confess your life of sin, to ask for forgiveness, to ask Him to come into your life and fill you with the Holy Spirit and to begin a life with Him.
- Do you have trouble matching up your life with your belief system? There is no better time to ask God to release the Holy Spirit in your life. Search yourself and repent of any sin that He shows you. Ask for the Holy Spirit to fill you. Believe that it will happen
- What “doing” has God been asking you to do. Purpose today to begin the journey of walking in the things He has put before you.
- Be intentional. It helps set your trajectory.
Today I will begin to set about doing the thing God has asked me to do.
It is_____________________________________________________