Let's start by taking a look at Scripture. (Always solid ground to start on. :) ) I think it is important to start by acknowledging the true weight of "faith". The bible clearly states we are saved by grace through our faith.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (King James Version)
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
So what does that mean?
God is a true gentleman. Though He desires to be intimate with us so deeply, to the point of what I could only imagine we would best describe as excruciating pain, He will never force Himself on us. He has given His creation free will and allows them to choose. (I have many thoughts behind why this is the case. Really good and exciting stuff! But, we will save that for another post.)
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (King James Version)
19I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
20That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
God is the same today as He was then. Like the Israelites we must choose salvation. His loving grace (undeserved favor) is what does the saving but faith is the vehicle by which that grace is able to activate. Faith is the way God has chosen to give us free will and choice. How cool is that, right!?! His grace and love is always there, we just need to reach out and grab it.
So now, knowing it is the vehicle to grace and (along with Christ) to our salvation, I think it is safe to say faith is extremely important. Next we need to learn how to care for and activate that faith.
James 2:19-20 (King James Version)
19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Vs 19 clearly states that even devils know God is real! Knowing that God is real, even acknowledging (I would say the devils trembling would qualify as them acknowledging) that He is real, is not enough. There must be action or works in concert with that knowledge and faith. This action is us making the choice that enables His grace. If not, that faith or belief is rendered infective and considered dead. As shown before in Ephesians 2:8-9 without faith there is NO salvation.
Faith is capable of living and dieing. We must keep action to it. We must keep it vibrant and alive. It is the key to salvation. Faith in Christ and what He did on the cross. Faith that His broken body hanging there enabled us once again to commune with our Heavenly Father who loves us. We must put action to this faith by loving our neighbors as ourselves and, when called on to, even prefer them above ourselves.
So once again I say be bold beloved. Don't stand stagnant. Don't be a dead sea. Be living water. Give life to that which is around you. Give of everything He has given you. Time. Talent. Finance. Pray and He will tell you where you are needed and what is needed. Know that He will never require an "action" of you that you are not capable of. What a great and loving God we have.
There is another piece of this that I would like to get into. It has to do with faith and the seed time harvest principles. Very, Very, Cool Stuff! That might have to be my next post. I feel like it would be a great compliment.
I hope you were able to receive of Him through this. We love you Father God! Thank you Jesus!
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