The Growth of Faithናሙና

FAITH AND WORKS 

We may be confused with the pair of faith and works. The book of Romans emphasizes that we are justified by faith, not by works. On the other hand, James asserts that faith without works is dead. Some people even use these two passages to contradict the Bible truth.

When faced with seemingly contradictory Bible statements, we should try to "reconcile" them. It means we do not see them as a contradiction, but rather as something that complements each other. Then, how do faith and works complement each other?

Suppose there is a woman who gets married and becomes pregnant. Will she just relax, take it easy, do nothing, keep quiet, and wait for the baby to be born? Of course not, right? Pregnancy itself changes the mother's diet, lifestyle, and sleep patterns. Her whole life pattern has been completely changed since she found out about her pregnancy. The mother changes and adapts to the pregnancy in preparation for the birth of the baby.

Believers are not that different from the pregnant woman above. We are pregnant by the seed of God's Word - the seed of God's promises. Like that pregnant woman, it is impossible for us to just calmly and passively wait for the fulfillment of the promise to happen as if it falls from the sky. Faith, like pregnancy, inevitably changes our entire lifestyles and patterns. If it is not cared for and maintained with the correct “pattern”, then the seed of faith can fall on the way - and we are not going to witness the fulfillment of God's promises. On the contrary, faith inspires us to live as if the promise is already in hand. Hence, we live seriously. We prove that faith through our actions. Our deeds are the evidence of our faith. Confession alone without real action makes confession like a figment. Doing something without acknowledgment makes the person become miserable.

Therefore, faith must be accompanied by works. These works become evidence of our faith.

Today’s devotional 

1. Do we have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? 

What do we do as evidence of our faith?

2. How can our actions affect someone's faith?

Today’s actions

Do you have faith? If yes, then you should not just sit around — do something!