IS THERE A DISCONNECT?
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.
James 2:24 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
We have looked at Noah recently in our daily devotions. Today’s passage is from the New Testament book of James. Noah was a man who demonstrated this truth from James.
In Genesis 6:22 we are told, “Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.” Noah did not just intellectually agree with God’s plan that would bring deliverance and salvation for his family and the animals, Noah acted on that belief.
We are saved by faith and grace. We have faith in the work of Jesus on the cross by the payment for our sins. God’s grace then cleanses us and frees us from the control and consequences of sin. We can never earn our salvation or freedom. It is a free gift from God.
But because we are saved, we choose to obey God’s Word and live in agreement with His plan and purpose for our lives. Our obedient actions demonstrate that we are truly followers of Jesus.
My faith is not demonstrated by how many Bible verses I quote. My faith is demonstrated by how I think, what I say, and what I do. If my intellectual information does not change my behavior, then it is not true faith.
Many people have a major disconnect between what they claim to believe and their actions. We must realize that partial or delayed obedience is actually disobedience. If we say we are followers of Jesus and therefore we will go to church, but we won’t pay the Lord His tithe then we are only partially obedient—which makes us fully disobedient.
If we claim to be followers of Jesus and we read our Bible regularly but refuse to forgive that person who hurt us, then we are only partially obedient—which makes us fully disobedient. Or maybe we say we will delay our forgiveness until they repent and admit what they did wrong. That is delayed obedience—which is disobedience.
Is there a disconnect between what you say you believe and what you do? Maybe it is time to get all our life in agreement.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit help me to fully live in obedience. Give me the faith to live in alignment with Your will and way.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”
I want to be fully with you Lord.
Keeping our life in full alignment is the place of peace.