Today’s New Covenant nugget is from James 2:18-20
But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?”
The Mirror Bible says it this way, “My friends, if your faith is not practical and visible in your conduct it is fake and cannot benefit you in any way. Faith is not in competition with works; the one cannot operate without the other. Faith remains invisible without action; indeed the only way to communicate faith is in doing the things prompted and inspired by faith. Hey man, if you have nothing to show for your faith your faith is meaningless; it remains a dead doctrine.”
Many passive believers consider themselves to be in faith, they say, “I’m trusting the Lord for financial breakthrough”, or “I’m believing for my healing”, or “I’m in faith for a better job”. Their faith ends at trusting, believing, or hoping. Friends FAITH is more than trusting, believing, and hoping. Faith is active, not passive. Faith is more than a position, a positive confession, being fully convinced, or relying on the Lord in the absence of all doubt. Faith involves action!
Faith includes believing, trusting, and being fully convinced that what He promised, He is able to do. Today, I was challenging myself with an area that I recognised in my life as a lack of faith. Funny, sometimes you see it, but it may take a good, honest friend to point it out to you. I had a very friend challenge me today in my faith. I went before the Lord and decided to step out in active faith, began to declare my faith and take action, and not be passive or give in to the area where my faith was lacking. Within a short time, I had a text message from another friend, who stepped up to the platter, to come through with exactly what I was believing God for. Thank God for Godly friends, who love Jesus, who hear God and who know how to act on God's Word. The rest of my day today was filled with Joy and exitement as seeing my precious Jesus act so fast on my behalf.
Ask the Lord to show you what He is leading you to DO, what He is leading you to GIVE, who He is leading you to SERVE, and where He is leading you to GO. As the Lord leads, start taking baby steps. Your faith action steps are what will turn believing to FAITH in His Word and His promises and bring you Joy in Him. Living and walking with Jesus is so exciting!
In His amazing love, Esther