Faith is Revealedd by Actions

Chuckle: TEACHER: "John, why are you doing your multiplications on the floor?" JOHN: "Because you told me to do them without using tables!"

Quote: "Faith has no merit where human reason supplies the truth." --St Gregory the Great

"Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did . . . In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?" (James 2:21-22, 25 NIV).

In summarizing his teachings on faith and works, James gives two examples of genuine faith from the lives of Abraham and Rahab. These two were so very different: Abraham was a man, Rahab a woman -- a patriarch, a prostitute -- a major Old Testament character, minor character -- a Jew, a gentile. They had one thing in common -- real life-changing faith. Abraham believed God and followed Him. He put his total faith in God, and God made him righteous. He understood that faith is taking God at His word and obeying him.

Rahab lived in Jericho, a pagan city, the first walled city the Israelites must defeat to claim the promised land. The Israelites sent spies to get the lay of the land and evaluate the defenses. When they got there, they stayed in Rahab's house and told her about God. She believed and put her faith into actions by hiding them, thus putting her life at risk. Both Abraham and Rahab are listed in Hebrews 11 among the great heroes of faith.

There are four basic truths about real faith. It: (1) is consistent with God's word; (2) is always centered on Christ alone, the object of our faith; (3) always involves the mind, emotions, and will; and (4) always results in good works (deeds). Jesus referred to these acts of kindness to others as "bearing fruit." "By their fruits you will recognize them" (Matthew 7:16 NIV).

For us to have the maximum impact on the world for our Lord, our faith and actions must be consistent. "They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him" (Titus 1:16). Ephesians 2:8-10 puts faith and deeds in perspective: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not of works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." We are saved first by faith and then as God's new creation (workmanship), we are to do the good works that God has planned for each of us to do.

Finally, good deeds/works can never earn salvation; however, true faith always results in a changed life that produces good deeds. The true joy of being a Christian comes from the assurance that we have eternal life through faith in Christ, from obedient service to our Lord, and benevolent deeds of kindness and love to others.

Love, Jerry & Dotse