May 12, 2020

Good morning Fellow Believers,

There are a couple of old adages you have probably heard, actions speak louder than words, and words are cheap. So, when it comes to our faith, if our words and actions are saying different things, we should examine our actions for the truth.

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  James 2:18 (NIV)

There are some who consider faith and good deeds to be separate and alternate expressions of Christianity. James responded with a challenge: I can’t see your faith if you don’t have good deeds, but I will show you my faith through my good deeds. The two cannot be separated without ceasing to be alive. Faith lives in the action it generates; actions require faith to gain a particular meaning. Faith cannot be demonstrated apart from action. Faith is within us; it can only be seen by the actions it produces through us.

Anyone can profess faith, but only action shows its genuineness.

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18 (NIV)

Talk is cheap, so just saying we love each other is not enough. Faith not accompanied by love for others is worthless. Love should be shown by actions.

Jesus, the son of God, lived his earthly life in perfect integrity. His words and works were always saying the same thing. He was the incarnate Word of God who always did what was pleasing to the Father.

The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.  John 8 :29 (NIV)

Jesus was not on his own mission to gain glory for himself; he had come to fulfill the Father’s will by dying on the cross. Jesus’ death on the cross exhibited his absolute submission to the Father’s will.

Being the founder and perfecter of our faith, he showed us how faith works. Jesus’s trust in the Father was constantly being proclaimed through the things he did.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

Jesus, our example, perfectly finished his race. Because he stands at the finished line, Christians should keep their eyes on him, looking away from other distractions or options. Faith, by its very nature, produces action. It’s intrinsic. Each of us is wired to feel and act in accordance to what we believe to be true. We cannot help it.

And this is a universal human phenomenon. Every human being lives by faith. Because of this our actions reveal what it is that we believe.

May the grace of God bless you today.

Pastor Dennis