Show Me Your Faith!

“When will you ever learn that faith that does not result in good deeds is useless?” (James 2:20)

• Every one is given a measure of faith.

• Faith that is not active is dead.

Paul told the Roman believers that God has given to every man a measure of faith. (Rom 12:3) What you do with your faith and whether you exercise it or not is up to you. Someone said that faith is like your muscles. We all have them. Some people exercise them and others don’t. What you exercise your faith on and how you exercise it is important. Some people exercise more faith in their looks, material possessions, employer or bank manager, than they exercise in God and His Word. It is possible to exercise more faith in your own strength and ability, your education or business achievements than you do in God’s ability and Word.

James went on to tell believers, “Now someone may argue, "Some people have faith; others have good deeds." I say, "I can't see your faith if you don't have good deeds, but I will show you my faith through my good deeds." Do you still think it's enough just to believe that there is one God? Well, even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror! Fool! When will you ever learn that faith that does not result in good deeds is useless? Don't you remember that our ancestor Abraham was declared right with God because of what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? So you see, we are made right with God by what we do, not by faith alone. Just as the body is dead without a spirit, so also faith is dead without good deeds.

Faith, like love is an action verb. I have faith or I have love is demonstrated by your actions. You can tell someone you love them all you want, but at the end of the day it is what you do about that love that counts. Actions speak louder than words. It is known in the counseling arena that non verbal communication or body language makes up more than 50% of all communication. James made it clear that faith without the corresponding action is dead. “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.” How much do you love others, His Word and His Will that you are prepared to give of yourself, your finances and your time to show your love?

There was a tightrope walker - Charles Blondin - who did incredible aerial feats. All over Paris, he would do tightrope acts at tremendously scary heights. Then he had succeeding acts; he would do it blindfolded, then he would go across the tightrope, blindfolded, pushing a wheelbarrow. An American promoter read about this in the papers and wrote a letter to Blondin, saying, I don’t believe you can do it, but I am willing to make you an offer. For a very substantial sum of money, besides all your transportation fees, I would like to challenge you to do your act over Niagara Falls.”

Blondin wrote back, “Sir, although I have never been to America and seen the Falls, I would love to come.” Well, after a lot of promotion and setting the whole thing up, many people came to see the event. Blondin was to start on the Canadian side and come to the American side. Drums roll, and he comes across the rope which is suspended over the treacherous part of the falls—blindfolded!! And he makes it across easily. The crowds go wild, and he comes to the promoter and the following conversation ensued:

“Well, Mr. Promoter, now do you believe I can do it?”

“Well of course I do. I mean, I just saw you do it.”

“No,” said Blondin, “do you really believe I can do it?”

“Well of course I do, you just did it.”

“No, no, no,” said Blondin, “do you believe I can do it?”

“Yes,” said Mr. Promoter, “I believe you can do it.”

“Good,” said Blondin, “then you get in the wheelbarrow.”

See, the word ‘believe’, in Greek means “to live by.” This is a nice story that makes you ask, how often do we say that we believe Christ can do it, but refuse to get in the wheelbarrow when He asks us to? How often do we say we have faith but are not prepared to put corresponding action to what we believe? Today, purpose in your heart to be a person of active faith and act upon the Word of God that you know to be true.

Prayer Points:

• Heavenly Father, You have given to me a measure of faith.

• Help me to remember that faith comes by hearing the Word of God.

• Help me to feed my faith and starve my doubts.

• Help me to activate my faith and get into the wheelbarrow of Your Word.

• Thank You for promising signs and wonders to those who believe and act upon Your Words.

In Jesus’ Name I pray,

Amen