I often receive e-mails from people who say they are concerned about not having faith as they should. So how does one measure whether or not they have enough faith or indeed have faith at all?
Can it be determined by a comfort level that we achieve in our minds?
Can it be measured by what we verbally profess?
The Bible indicates that mental faith is insufficient and the same is true for verbal statements. It boldly states that “works” is the main indicator, and one merely read James 2:26 to confirm this: “Faith without works is dead”.
I have grown to study the Bible more carefully than in times past. I used to read it more like a novel, a chapter or so a night with little time spent analyzing what God was trying to get across to my woefully inadequate intellect. But lately I have taken a much different approach. Now I like to find an interesting passage such as the one above and slowly and carefully read it, break it down to key words or phrases, and sit back and meditate about its connotation, and then listen to the Spirit as I search for its meaning and He provides it.
One key word in this passage to me is “dead”. Yikes! That’s a harsh word. What does it conjure up in your mind? I’ve seen too many dead people in my life, and even in my darkest days it was always unsettling, and I never got used to it. There is something about those lifeless eyes staring at nothing in particular that gives me the willies. They just inertly stare into space, void, no longer burning and are completely devoid of light, sparkle, and vitality.
According to this passage that is how God views those of us who do not engage in works of faith? Think about that word dead; deceased, departed, lifeless, finished, empty, silent, blank, inactive, no longer alive.
“Faith without works is dead”.
Hmmm… What is faith? Faith is oviously more than mere words or having knowledge. Even the demons in hell know that Jesus is the Son of God and was crucified on a cross and resurrected three days later “and tremble”. That knowledge isn’t doing them much good.
Faith is demonstrated by obedience, as in “obeying” the Word of God. It is commitment, loyalty, dedication and devotion and it manifests itself by not merely hearing, but doing. Satan is devoid of faith. We can bet he knows the word of God; he just chooses to disregard it like so many of us including many who fill the pews on Sundays and live like the devil the rest of the week.
What about the word “works”? James, (and all of the Bible really), provide plenty of everyday practical examples of works of faith; controlling the tongue, acting wisely, submitting to God, separating from the world, and resisting satan to name a few. He boils it all down to obeying the Word of God.
It is a little difficult to obey something that you’ve never read, (impossible actually). Interestingly the Bible states that we gain faith by “hearing” the word of God. This reminds me of the Obama-care bill and hearing Nancy Pelosi state that no one had actually read the bill, but not to worry, we will learn what’s in it after congress passes it and it begins to take effect.
Huh?
It was too late after the bill had already passed to learn how devastating it was to our country just like it will be too late after life has passed to learn what was in the Bible. If you haven’t read it – Read it! This would be an excellent New Year’s resolution, better even than shedding forty pounds.
Most of those raised in church know what the Bible states about going to church, witnessing to others, tithing, helping others, not succumbing to temptation, being prejudiced, controlling our anger and tongues, and so forth. Those of us who lack faith just don’t do it. Faith produces doers and doers are necessary to produce works and without works we are dead.
Interestingly we have a price on our heads. We are wanted dead or alive? Satan wants us dead and God wants us alive. Satan will pay an eternal price as will all those who choose to follow his easy route. Jesus paid the heavy price for us and though it is at times difficult to go against a wicked world and follow Him, it is the only path to everlasting life.
The Bible states that only a few will choose the more difficult gateway to life in following Jesus. Will you be one of them? Are you dead or alive this morning? If you are alive you will have works…Show your works and it will show your faith.
Matt. 7:14
But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.