A few weeks ago, when I was out with my father, we saw something. On our drive home, we saw this man walking along the road. Why did he stand out to us? Because he was walking with a large 12 foot cross.
I’ve heard of this man before. He carries the cross across all of the U.S. He does so as a way to represent his faith, and share it. It was truly wonderful to see him in person as we were going home.
But this is what I want to share about the sight we saw:
Those privileged to be close to the truth are not necessarily committed to the truth. And our actions? Well, they’ll show if we’re truly committed or not.
Need more examples? Let’s look biblically now. Let’s look at Judas Iscariot, Peter, Paul, and Nicodemus.
Judas betrayed Jesus for money.
Peter, though at first denied Jesus, repented and became the rock in which the church was built.
Paul, who hated Christians and beat and imprisoned them, preached Christ throughout the Roman Empire on three missionary journeys.
Nicodemus, a religious leader that was a part of the ones who opposed Jesus, was a believer in Jesus. But, he kept it secret out of fear of being publicly exposed as a Christ follower.
Do you see how each of these biblical person’s actions showcase the truth? Do you see how the man I saw walking with the cross showcases the truth?
True faith transforms our conduct as well as our thoughts.
Our thoughts and actions show our faith, or lack of. It speaks the truth. If the way we act, speak, and think remains unchanged from before we came to Christ, we haven’t truly digested the truths we claim to believe.
It is important to listen to God and His Word. But I think it is much more important to obey it and do what it says. We need to put into action what we study and read.
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
James 2:14-18
Scriptural Musings with Booferchick 