Believing is not enough for our faith to be sustained
We are often taught in Christian circles that belief is 'the thing' which defines our faith - but this is not consistent with scripture, if we mean that holding to certain suppositions about the true nature of God, is sufficient for our being defined as a Christian. In James 2:19, for example, James is biting in his derision of belief only, being a mark of a true Christian: 'You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe and shudder!'
What does this scripture, and others, point us toward - it is not that belief is unimportant (that would be throwing the baby out with the bath water), but rather that belief is not enough. This insufficiency is because out of our belief we must also act in love, so as to serve Christ and enhance God's Kingdom, and this demons certainly do not do!!
Reflecting on this challenge to my faith, I am also reminded of other parts of scripture which point us toward the idea that we should trust in God's and Christ's love for us, who then becomes our Lord and saviour, as we are motivated to act for him. In other words, we might say that our faith has three aspects; (a) we believe in God's love for us in Christ's sacrifice for us, (b) we accept God's love as the ultimate authority in our lives, and (c) from which we then bear good fruit through our loving actions. Again, as James says in James 2:17; 'Faith without action is dead', or as Christ himself also states in Mathew 7:21-23:
'Not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord', will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he 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 perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
Click on book cover image on this blog's home page for information on my book Nine Steps to Well-Being: A Spiritual Guide for Disconnected Christians and Other Questioning Journeyers - first three chapters are FREE!!
What does this scripture, and others, point us toward - it is not that belief is unimportant (that would be throwing the baby out with the bath water), but rather that belief is not enough. This insufficiency is because out of our belief we must also act in love, so as to serve Christ and enhance God's Kingdom, and this demons certainly do not do!!
Reflecting on this challenge to my faith, I am also reminded of other parts of scripture which point us toward the idea that we should trust in God's and Christ's love for us, who then becomes our Lord and saviour, as we are motivated to act for him. In other words, we might say that our faith has three aspects; (a) we believe in God's love for us in Christ's sacrifice for us, (b) we accept God's love as the ultimate authority in our lives, and (c) from which we then bear good fruit through our loving actions. Again, as James says in James 2:17; 'Faith without action is dead', or as Christ himself also states in Mathew 7:21-23:
'Not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord', will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he 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 perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
Click on book cover image on this blog's home page for information on my book Nine Steps to Well-Being: A Spiritual Guide for Disconnected Christians and Other Questioning Journeyers - first three chapters are FREE!!
This is a perfect christian gifts ideas for just about anyone—grandparents, dad, children, teachers, teens and friends of same. The secret is in your selection of photos. They can be whimsical or memorable.
ReplyDelete