- Lesson 12 in the Connect360 unit “The Making of Authentic Faith: Wisdom that Works” focuses on James 5: 12-18.
Faith in action places the emphasis and focus on what God does when the believer’s faith is put into action. Faith in action resists the idea that the believer has any control or power over what is produced. Faith is only faith when you walk in it, which means the focus is on believing God will come through on his promises. God is the Author of faith. He designed it. Because of this, and thankfully because God out of his abundance provides an eternal stream of compassion and mercy, the Christian only stands to gain from faith that works and is put to work.
This lesson’s elements focus mostly on how faith is put to work through prayer, and yet believing in God is practiced in additional ways as well. The common denominator underneath all these ways is that all eyes are on God, removing focus on the self. To put one’s eyes on the self is an attempt to make the self ‘god’ in the one true God’s place. This is what we must resist, which is why prayer is the practical focus: when a person talks with God, he or she is reminding himself or herself that God is in the driver’s seat.
Keep it simple
In place of oaths that we are unable to keep, we should instead get back to the basics of a simple “yes” or “no.” If you find yourself feeling the need to add more power to your “yes” or “no,” the temptation will be to make an oath. But ask: “Why do I feel the need to add more power to my answer? Shouldn’t my simple yes or no be enough?” God himself makes promises that he keeps. His “yes” and “no” are proven because he is God. Considering this, the Christian should follow God’s example by keeping it simple.
Faith in action is putting God first, seeing God’s power and authority as above and beyond all people and things. Faith in action means putting full belief in God’s promises, and it also means pointing people toward God’s promises so they too will put their full belief in him. Be decisive on believing, and then be direct by keeping it as simple as God makes it for us. This will keep you from ever being guilty of usurping power that belongs to God alone.
Compiled by Stan Granberry, marketing coordinator for GC2 Press, formerly known as BaptistWay Press.
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