Action

We talked about faith last time and now we are going to talk about action, which can also count as works. If you have read the Bible, you will often find that it speaks about action and about what is required from us. I started bookmarking and noting in You version verses that mention action in regards to our Christian walk and faith last year. Subsequently, it decided to reset and left me with one of probably forty… so that’s lovely. However, this is a very good verse from Scripture that nicely encompasses the idea of action.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. ~ James 1:22-25

As Christians, faith is not enough. We need to take the faith and work on it and take action. Our faith grows when we act. We are supposed to love. Love is an action word. We are to go out and be fishermen of men, that is action. Everywhere in the Bible there is constant push to action and urging from the authors of the Bible.

God calls us to be active in faith, not to be sluggish or lazy.

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what goodis that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. ~ James 2:14-26

Faith is great! In fact it is amazing and crucial to the everyday walk of a Christian and to our relationship with God and Christ. However, faith without works is dead. Faith cannot grow if it is not used or challenged. Does anyone remember that song where it goes “they will know we are Christians by our love”? It is true.

Though someone should be able to sense that there is something different about us, they should also be able to tell from our actions whom we serve and love. Does a servant not represent its master? I think of the parable with the vineyard owner and how he sent servant after servant and then his son, his heir. In the same way we need to represent God with our actions.

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ ~ Matthew 7:21-23

Now on the flip side we must ensure that our actions and works are not the only focus. Our faith in relationship to Christ should be growing, sincere, and real. Even Simon the Sorcerer from Acts could cast out demons. He could do amazing things, without faith. Works without faith is also dead.

We need to have a healthy balance. We are all about that healthy spiritual and physical life.

Let us both increase in faith and from that increase in works. We should provide for each other, challenge each other to grow and act for God. Amen?

Lord, thank you for both faith and works. Thank you that our faith increases in you tenfold. I pray Lord that you would continue to help me in my works. Help me to show my faith to those around me. Provide for me opportunity to boast of your love and character. Help me to see those around me and to love them more than ever before. I pray Father that you would increase in me the balance between the two things. Help me to take action in your name.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

I challenge you to do one good work this week, in good faith and in God’s name. Whether it be cleaning something, giving someone a drink, or simply encouraging someone. One act of kindness a day even! Let’s increase good faith, love, and good works in God’s name. God bless!

~ Ashley

P.S. Just a note. If you are afraid you are the person from Matthew, I would seriously doubt that it pertains to you. That’s all.