BELIEF

"And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,' and he was called the friend of God" (James 2:23).

 

Abraham's faith was demonstrated through his actions.  He did what he believed.  We can see the progression of  Abraham's authority in his willing sacrifice of Isaac.  First of all, he loved God and he loved Isaac.  Isaac was the son of the promise that God had given to him.  Abraham loved him enough that he was willing to dedicate Isaac's life to God's purpose.  Don't forget that though Abraham would lay Isaac on the altar of sacrifice, he had previously told his servants that both he and the boy would return.  God will provide a lamb.  Abraham believed what he said--that God would provide and that Isaac would continue to live.  Secondly, Abraham had a clear word from God--to sacrifice Isaac on the altar.  He knew what God wanted him to do (not Abraham's idea--but God's idea).  Thirdly, Abraham acted on his love and his knowledge of God's will.  Fourth, his faith grew when the angel stopped Abraham's hand and revealed a ram caught in the nearby thicket.  Finally, his authority grew--"reckoned as righteousness" and "friend of God".

 

LOVE>>>>>KNOWLEDGE>>>>>ZEAL>>>>>FAITH>>>>>AUTHORITY

 

Today, attempt to ACT out of LOVE and KNOWLEDGE in order to grow in FAITH and AUTHORITY.  Read a paragraph from the Bible and then invite the Holy Spirit to make application into your life.  Then "do what you believe" all day long!

FAITH

"You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected" (James 2:22).

 

The word translated, "working", in the verse literally means "cooperating".  Literally then, Abraham's faith was cooperating with his works.  His faith and works came together as a team.  Abraham's works were needed in order to demonstrate that his faith was genuine, real, and authentic.  In the same way that apples on a tree demonstrate the vitality and authenticity of the apple tree, our works authenticate our faith.  We do what we believe!

 

Take a moment and think of something that you believe honors God. Now, take the rest of the day and attempt to demonstrate it through your actions.  Perfect your faith--let it bear fruit!

OBEDIENCE

"Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?" (James 2:21).

 

Abraham's obedient action demonstrated that his faith was genuine.  He did what he believed.  And notice that his obedience was not in the fact that he believed that God was going to take his son away from him.  His belief was that even if his son died on the altar, God would raise him up again.  Abraham told his servants, "I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you" (Genesis 22:5).  Abraham told Isaac, "God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering" (Genesis 22:8).

 

Obedient faith acts on God's word, believing that God will cause all things to work together for our benefit and for God's glory.

 

What is God doing around you today?  How can you join him in obedient faith-action?

BELIEF

"But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?" (James 2:20).

 

Belief without corresponding action is not of any value at all.  It is barren, empty, vacant, futile, dead, and broken.

 

What we do says more about who we are than what we say.

 

Today, Be your Belief...

BELIEF

"You believe that God is one.  You do well; the demons also believe and shudder" (James 2:18).

 

The demons believe in God and exercise their faith by shaking in terror.  Even their faith has works.  What we do, also indicates what we believe.  If we believe that God listens and responds to us--then we pray.  On the other hand, if we believe that He is either unwilling or unable to respond to our needs--then we don't bother praying.  We do what we believe.  If we believe that God provides for our every need--then we give generously. On the other hand, if we believe that we're on our own--then we likely use our resources for our own benefit and security.  Again, we do what we believe.

 

Today, be aware of your thoughts, your attitudes, your words, and your actions.  Are they consistent with what you claim to believe about God?

FAITH

"But someone may well say, 'You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works'" (James 2:18).

 

Faith can only be displayed through actions.  What you do declares more about what you believe than anything you might ever say.

 

So...what do you believe about forgiveness?  What do you believe about giving?  What do you believe about love?  What do you believe about grace?  What do you believe about worship?  What do you believe about prayer?  What do you really believe?

FAITH

"Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself" (James 2: 17).

 

Faith that doesn't act, is by definition, not faith at all.  Faith must act!  Words without works are just empty sentiments.  It's like my membership to the fitness club--which by the way, I have not been to in a week.  It's vain, empty, foolish, useless, of absolutely no benefit at all.  I have to go to grow.  I have to act to impact.

 

Today, let's put our faith into action and really do what we say we believe.

BLESSING

"If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,' and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?" (James 2:15-16).

 

James is drawing a very clear distinction between what we say and what we do.  To say, "bless you" is practically meaningless to one in need unless we also do what is in our power to actually provide the blessing.  In other words, we should be willing to back up our words of blessing with acts of blessing.  When you pray for someone, if it is in your power to answer the prayer--do it!  If someone needs $100 and you have $100--it is good to pray for them to receive the $100 they need.  But don't stop there--reach into your wallet and answer the prayer by giving them $100.

 

Today, let's join God in answering prayers.  Let's become blessings!

FAITH

"What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works?  Can that faith save him?" (James 2:14).

 

What use is it?  What's the advantage?  What's the point?  How does it make a difference?

 

This is the true test of faith--doing what we profess to believe.  There are I suppose a great many things about God that we profess to believe in and yet rarely act upon.  Words without works are empty and futile.  What we do says more about what we believe than anything that we might say.

 

Today, let's try to live up to our words...and perhaps speak with a little more humility...

MERCY

"For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment" (James 2:13).

 

An essential truth for living in grace is stated here.  To live a life without showing mercy is to precariously place yourself in a position to not receive mercy.  We must be very careful about the judgments that we are making and if we are to err, let us err on the side of mercy.  We're on dangerous ground when we begin to make assumptions and draw negative conclusions.  Let us instead look with eyes of mercy--the eyes of Jesus--who knows perfectly well what we've done under the fig tree (JN 1:48), and still chooses to call us as disciples.  "Mercy triumphs over judgment!"