James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
This passage of scripture teaches us the sacred truth that our belief in God must be backed up by appropriate actions if it has to have any weight with The Lord. The apostle James makes mention of the fact that the devils also believe and tremble, so at least they are doing something in response to their belief, but if in our belief system there are no corresponding works, then our faith becomes vain and useless.
The Bible tells us that it was by faith and corresponding works that Noah and his family were saved from the deluge which overspread the antediluvians of old, for Noah just did not only believe, but rather went ahead and took proactive steps in building the ark, as God had instructed him. He went to the bank and drew out his entire savings, thereby putting his money where his mouth was, and as a result, his faith was rewarded in the saving of his entire family.
In our day many of us as Christians claim to believe in God, and there is much talk in the Christian arena about faith, especially when it comes to claiming the promises that are written in the Bible. However we also need the corresponding works, in order that the promises might be fulfilled in due season. The Hebrews in Haggai's day were at a loss to know why their faith in God was not producing the desired results that were written in the scriptures, but then under closer examination, it was found that their faith consisted mostly of talk but no corresponding actions. Let's read:
Haggai 1:5 Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways. 6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
The reason for the negative side effects they were experiencing was not because of their profession, but because of a lack of appropriate works. We also in our day and in our own experiences should also consider our ways, to see if our faith consists of a mere profession, or whether like Noah, we are putting our money where our mouth is. Whenever God gives us a promise, there are always conditions to their fulfillment, and thus it behooves every honest hearted believer to find out what these requirements are, and also to put them into practice, so that God's good will can be accomplished in entirety.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which calls upon us to take proactive steps in the experience of a living faith, for if we do, an entirely new day will dawn on the horizon, and we will be able to taste and see that the Lord is good. Let's read:
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and doing of His every word. God bless!