Saturday, January 22, 2011

Faith is a verb

"Dear friends, do you think you'll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, 'Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!' and walk off without providing so much as a coat or cup of soup- where does that get you? Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense? I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, 'Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I''ll handle the works department.' Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove." James 2:14-18 The Message


So often it's easy for us to tell others to pray. But how much time do we spend in prayer? We tell others to keep the faith and trust in God. But when something happens in our life where is that faith we speak of? We like to say we are Christians, but where is that Christ-like attitude? Oh, sure, we are there doing works, but for whom? Are we praying before each act? Is it that we are called or are we just stepping in so others will know the job was done by us? Now, there is a thought to ponder. We are human after all. We like when others know we have made an effort. How many acts do we really do in secret?

All those works we do outside of faith? If they are not in faith are they really for God and His kingdom? So many think they will find themselves at heaven's gates because they lived a good life and helped others. They think that doing for others is what Christianity is all about. That is only a portion. You must also carry faith. My friends, the only way to heaven's door is by the Father. The only way to get to Him is through having faith in Jesus Christ.

On the other side of that how many times do we sit back and say we have faith, but never move in that faith? We have people coming to church to be served. The church is the people not the building. We are there to worship and to serve God. In our faith He will light the way and give us the tools we need to work. We work under Him. We allow the light to shine upon Him. In faith we want to serve. In serving, really serving for others, we find Jesus. We see Him move and therefore our faith grows. We cannot just say we are a Christian and sit back comfortably. We must put our faith into action. Love is a verb. Faith is also a verb. In our faith we love our Savior. And in the same love we have a hope in Him that lives on for tomorrow. It is a hope we pass on.


When we see another in need we must do more than share with them to have faith. Maybe God has placed us in their path to provide a need. My pastor says, "A need seen is an assignment given." Isn't that real faith? Putting action to our words and words to our actions by giving God all the glory. Faith and works are inseparable. We must express our faith. That is how we will be a light to the world. It is through our works and the faith we have knowing God will complete them through us that others will see Christ.

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