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The Real
Value of Faith
We are always hearing people say that we just need to have more faith. If
we are fretting over finances, we must need more faith. If we are troubled
over the world’s political condition, the need, as far as some are concerned,
is more faith. Here is what God’s Word has to say about this issue of faith.
Hebrews 11:6 says that “without faith it
is impossible to please him.” It states that if we are to please the Lord
Jesus Christ, we are expected to “walk by faith and not by sight”. (II Cor.
5:7) In fact, once we have trusted Jesus Christ to save us, the road to
spiritual growth and spiritual fulfillment is that road of faith—believing
what God’s Word says and acting upon what God’s Word declares. Therefore, the
real value of Bible faith is much more seen in the things we do and the ways
we live than by what we say.
In
Ephesians 2:8-10 is says, “For by grace
are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.
Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained
that we should walk in them.”
(Bold for emphasis)
Then James 2:17-18 builds on this by making these clear statements. “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.” We are not saved by the works we do, but the
reality of our faith in Christ, the testimony to the reality of our saving
faith is verified by the works that we involve ourselves in once we are saved.
Here, then, is a simple test. Do you think that people will be more convinced
of your love for Christ and your commitment to the claims of Christ by simply
hearing what you say or by observing what you do? “Even so faith, if it hath
not works, is dead, being alone.” Dear Christian friends, words are easy, but
a life devoted to applying godly truths in daily living will return many
dividends. Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in
heaven.”
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