Manslick Road church of Christ » 2006 » December
We are saved by faith (Eph. 2:8 ). Without it, it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6 ). But what is saving faith? How is it manifested? James answers those questions in chapter 2 of his letter.
Faith is belief or trust. However, saving faith goes beyond what we believe. Even demons believe the truth about God (vss. 19-20). Faith must be proclaimed, and that requires more than saying one has it (vss. 14-18). What, then, is the real demonstration of faith? James answers by pointing to the cases of Abraham and Rahab.
First, saving faith takes God at His word. Abraham found God’s promises hard to believe, and some of His commands surely seemed difficult. Nevertheless, Abraham remembered who God is and took Him at His word (Rom. 4:17-21 ).
Second, saving faith acts. It does what God commands. James says Abraham’s faith was perfected or completed when he obeyed God’s command to offer up Isaac (vs. 22). That act fulfilled the Scripture which said Abraham believed God. Note that he believed God, not just in God.
Third, saving faith acts because of what God said. One might do what God says, not because God said it, but because it is his own will. An atheist, for example, might be generous to the poor. No matter what we do, it is not an act of faith when we are self-directed. It is simply an act which is coincidentally also God’s will.
Fourth, saving faith acts upon God’s will, even when it is difficult. Is there a better example than Abraham? Make no mistake: one who rejects commands that are disagreeable has little conviction about God’s word, all claims to the contrary notwithstanding. He demonstrates more faith in his own wisdom than God’s.
Finally, saving faith does what God says, regardless of who else does or does not. Rahab illustrates this point. All at Jericho knew of God’s power and feared (Josh. 2:9-11 ), yet she alone acted upon that conviction.
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead” (vs. 26). Do you have saving faith?
Godly parents teach their children to pray at bedtime, beginning from the time toddlers are old enough to speak. We can develop no better habit than daily prayer. Psalm 141 is David’s evening prayer. Let’s listen in to a few of his requests.
- “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips” (vs. 3). Is there anything we need to pray more often or more fervently? Remember James’s assessment: “No one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison” (Jas. 2:8 ). O Lord, guard me from saying too much; guard me from speaking ignorantly; guard me from speaking angrily; guard me from speaking dishonestly; and guard me from constant grumbling and criticism.
- “Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, to practice the deeds of wickedness with men of iniquity; and do not let me eat of their delicacies” (vs. 4). The place to stop evil conduct is in the heart, before it spreads to the tongue, hands, feet, etc. (Mt. 15:18-19 ). We have so many less problems when our hearts stay focused on good.
- “Let the righteous smite me in kindness and reprove me; it is oil upon my head; let me not refuse it . . .” (vs. 5). This prayer is threefold. First, let there be a friend who will reprove me when I need it. Some are too afraid or too timid to speak. Let there be a Nathan when I need him. Second, let him offer that rebuke as kindly as possible. At best, it will be hard to take. Third, let me be receptive to it. Let me be humble enough, honest enough, and courageous enough to admit my mistakes and made needed corrections.
- ”Keep me from the jaws of the trap which they have set for me, and from the snares of those who do iniquity” (vs. 9). David frequently faced foes trying to entrap him. Behind them all was the great adversary, the devil, who “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8 ). Like David, we need to pray that we will not be enticed by his bait or deceived by the camouflage with which he covers the pit. That includes his servants who disguise themselves as servants of righteousness (2 Cor. 11:15 ).
Two dangers constantly lurk. David was keenly aware of both. One is association with those whose hearts are not focused on good. To the extent you can choose your company, choose well. “Bad company corrupts good morals” (1 Cor. 15:33 ). The other danger is what David calls admiration of iniquitous men’s delicacies. That might refer to their sins themselves, the enjoyable aspects of their wrongdoing. Or, it may refer to sinners’ apparent “success,” despite (or even because of) wicked living. The Bible frequently warns us against being envious of sinners (Prov. 23:17; 24:19-20 ).
Marriage is life’s most intimate relationship. No one will affect you more than your mate. “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who shames him is as rottenness in his bones” (Prov. 12:4 ).
For many reasons, Christians should marry Christians. Only in that case can you share what is most important in life — your service to Christ — with your closest companion. An unbelieving mate may influence you away from the Lord. If that does not happen, he or she will hold you back in some way, or at least make things more awkward or difficult. Two people dedicated to doing God’s will have a common basis for solving problems that come to the relationship. If God blesses the marriage with children, your parental obligation is much easier if both parents are Christians. And when death ends your marriage, how much better to face the loss of a companion knowing that he or she died in the Lord.
We need to emphasize these practical realities to people contemplating marriage. Nevertheless, some choose to marry those who are not Christians. Also, it is not uncommon among those already married for one spouse to become a Christian but the other does not. Such families should consider Eunice and take heart. She shows what can be done in that situation.
Acts 16 tells of Paul coming to Lystra on his second preaching trip. “And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek” (vs. 1). Timothy’s mother was Eunice (2 Tim. 1:5 ). His father was evidently not a Christian, and he was sufficiently opposed to Eunice’s beliefs that Timothy had not been circumcised (vs. 3).
What did Eunice do? Two things. First, she lived by her convictions, despite her husband. 2 Timothy 1:5 speaks of her sincere faith, which also characterized her mother, Lois. Second, she taught her son. Paul reminded Timothy that “from childhood you have known the sacred writings” (2 Tim. 3:15 ). It was surely more difficult for Eunice to have do this training without a husband’s help, but she did it. Doubtless Lois also contributed. If Eunice did it, so can you. It will require persistent instruction and a consistent example.
Something else about Eunice is noteworthy. It was at Lystra where Paul was stoned and left for dead on his first preaching trip (Acts 14:19 ). Now, this same apostle wanted her young son to go with him to destinations unknown to assist him in preaching. What would be in store for Timothy? How would he fare? Surely she had concerns. But the text reveals no hesitation on her part or his, and this faithful mother’s beloved son proved to be a valuable worker in the Lord’s cause. If you will be a Eunice, your son may be a Timothy.
- Turn off the TV and read your Bible. The Psalmist said of the blessed man, “His delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night” (Ps. 1:2 ).
- Hang up the phone and pray. I never cease to be amazed at how much time some people spend on their cell phones. Is all that talking necessary or profitable? “Pray without ceasing” (1 Th. 5:17 ). “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (Jas. 5:16 ).
- Get up out of bed an hour earlier and come to Bible study. “As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed” (Prov. 26:14 ).
- Cut down your credit card purchases and give. Give to the poor. Increase your contribution at church. “One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, and He will repay him for his good deed” (Prov. 19:17 ). “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35 ).
- Change the conversation from sports, weather, and politics to spiritual things. Do that at home. “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up” (Deut. 6:6-7 ). Do that at work, too. “He who wins souls is wise” (Prov. 11:30 ).