Introduction
Today, as always before, apart from the fact that God takes care of all persons, there are certain unusual advantages and privileges or benefits that some people receive by virtue of their faith in Christ Jesus. It is this faith that this edition of our Newsletter is set out to present.
Faith that works
According to James, faith and works are inextricably linked. One´s actions and inactions reveal whether s/he has faith or not. Thus, James contends that:
“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?” (Jams 2:17-22).
As James points out, some actions are required of us before we could receive our blessings from the Lord. Having faith, that, God would do miracles in your life and sitting aloofly or idly, the expected results would not be produced. As cited above, Abraham acted in faith by literally offering his only beloved son, Isaac. Rahab also, knowing well that God would bring deliverance to her and her family, acted by concealing and protecting the servants of God that were sent to spy Jericho (Jams 2:24-25).
It ought to be understood that faith does not completely abrade human rationality. A person of faith needs to assess his or her life to discover and rediscover what should be done in practice. The step of faith that one takes is the work required to materialize the vision or the dream. The job applications made in faith, the short course that was undertaken in faith, the new direction in life that was taken in faith, the positive confessions, the sinful and the wrong actions rejected and abandoned are examples of works that make our faith alive.
Living by Faith:
God has not promised His children a problem-free life. This is why life may be extremely difficult for us as Christians but our only hope to continue living is our faith in Christ Jesus. An unbeliever could resort to all means possible to make life more comfortable for themselves but it is not so for believers. When challenges of life confront us face-to-face, we must remember that our faith would keep us going as it is written, ” The just shall live by faith” (Rom 1:17, Heb 2:4).
It is read that by faith our ancestors endured hardships and obtained promises, and some women received their dead children raised back to life (Heb 11:33-35). In all things, we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 8:37). When all the available facts and material evidence are against you, by faith, declare to yourself and the situation that you walk by faith but not by sight (2Co 5:7). When all the forces of darkness team up against you, do not panic or fret but declare that you “have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1Joh 4:4).
Conclusion
As believers, faith with an acceptable level of rationality (i.e. works and wisdom) in Christ is the antidote to our hassles in this world. We cannot behave as unbelievers in trying moments, but with the right dose of faith, and the Lord God being our help, success would come ours.
Prayer: May the Prince of Peace and the invincible God increase our faith to endure the difficult times we are in, and to live to please Him all the days of our lives. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. AMEN!!