Someday I want to go skydiving. While I’m not overly fond of heights, I think there’s something incredible about jumping out of an airplane with a parachute (and an instructor soaring tandem with me!). As kids, my sister and I would jump off our second-story deck into the huge mounds of snow that covered our front yard in the dead of winter. One time I even jumped off the roof of a friend’s house (single story) into the deep end of a pool. As a general rule, though, I don’t jump off buildings. I’m convinced that gravity is real.
When it comes to spiritual things, we can’t separate what we believe is real from the way we act. John 3:16 is priceless in communicating the truth of God’s love for us. Our beliefs are not measured by our mental assent to Jesus being the Lord of our lives, but by the actions we live out in submission to Him.
John 3:33 says, “He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true” (NASB). Those who believe put their confidence in the reality that God— and His Word—are true. Because they understand the connection between belief and obedience (Joshua 22:5; John 3:36), they are convinced to the point of action.
Jesus paid the price so we could have the abundant, free life He promises (John 8:31-32, 10:10). To choose Christ is to become a new creation, not by our own works but by His grace—the same grace that empowers us to act in accordance with our belief (2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Timothy 1:9).
We cheapen the cross when our Christianity goes no deeper than to acknowledge in our minds that Jesus is the Son of God. Even the demons recognized as much (Luke 4:33-35; James 2:19). May our actions reflect our belief in Jesus.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Daniel 3:1-30
More:
Read John 14:14-21 to see the connection between the work of the Holy Spirit in us and our obedience to Jesus.
lindagma on May 31, 2011 at 7:07 am
When you love Him, you want to please Him. And you please Him by becoming more like Him and following His example.
eppistle on May 31, 2011 at 8:26 am
Salvation is not faith minus works (James 2:26). And it’s not faith plus works (Ephesians 2:8,9). It’s faith that results in good works (Ephesians 2:10).
Lamont on May 31, 2011 at 11:16 am
But to absorb these truths is not enough. Noone has a work ethic like satan. He will provide distractions to tempt you away. One becomes complacent and gradually you are back in the world.
There is distance now between my period of complacency and where I am now. I look back and shudder. My object of distraction was a person. We were friends and then grew closer. She was not a Christian but I overlooked that. You can say I was seduced away. It was enough that I had a mental grasp.
I’m thankful that God didn’t let me wander. Like the shepard, Christ brought me back to the fold.
followingHim on May 31, 2011 at 1:51 pm
I wouldn’t say, “It (is) enough that I (have) a mental grasp,” Lamont, but I think I understand your point, and I appreciate it. There may be a disconnect between what we profress (or “confess”) and what we practice. How to explain?
Tragically, we may be unsaved; that’s called “hypocrasy.” But still, the Holy Spirit could be at work in us as we acclamate ourselves to a genuine understanding and an authentic faith. It’s right to expect works, but we should remember that we may be dealing with a new, confused, or even a “carnal” Christian. He may show his works–sometime later.
Discipleship in a church that encourages Bible study and active membership are essential.
woody on May 31, 2011 at 4:04 pm
We cannot change and then come to Christ
we come to Him and then we cant help but change, that is if we come to Him wholly and not with one foot in the world and the other in the church. we come to Him with all that we are in the past with all the filth and shame and deeds we have done, God doesn’t see that but he sees our hearts.
the reality is through Him we are changed and that is what matters the new person, the new you and the new me. One in Christ, thank you Jesus for loving me as i am and for changing me to who you want me to be .
daisymarygoldr on May 31, 2011 at 8:25 pm
Good topic and thoughts, Regina and all! True, salvation is by grace through faith. It is the gift of God, not a result of works. Yet we are told to “Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.” (Philippians 2:12).
Those who profess works alone without God’s grace are self-righteous. For—without Christ a person doing works is akin to a corpse doing good things. This is the very reason why we need to be born again. And if we have been born into God’s family, then we do not make a practice of sinning (1 John 3:9). So, those who profess grace alone and produce no good deeds are hypocrites.
When the Church is devoid of self-righteousness and hypocrisy, unbelievers will be convinced that God is truly among us. Faith without action is dead faith. Our actions speak louder than words and are evidence of God’s saving work in us.
winn collier on May 31, 2011 at 9:27 pm
belief as action, thank you Regina. I can “believe” I love my boys – but it does not good if I don’t actually love them.
Clarence Wong on May 31, 2011 at 9:29 pm
Thank you for this devotional. reminded me that i need to fully let go of my self pride, to fully let go of the identity that i have built thru the years in my own name that I may find my new identity in Christ completely.