What do you do when you encounter what appears to be conflicting messages? Can only one person be right? Or is it possible that together, they might point to a deeper truth? There are passages in the Bible that may seem to contradict each other at first glance. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Then James 2:14-17 says, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
The first passage tells us that our salvation solely comes from God’s free, undeserved grace through Jesus Christ. We can’t buy this grace or earn it through our works. The other scripture seems to say something different.
So is faith in Jesus enough? Or is our faith invalid if we don’t also have works? Let’s learn from the examples of three different people the Bible talks about:
- Paul, despite being jailed and beaten, continued to share the gospel.
- Noah obeyed God by building the ark, even though it made him look like a crazy person.
- David defeated one of the biggest men ever known even though he was just a small kid.
What did all three of these people have in common?
- They each stepped out in faith.
- It was their faith in God that propelled them forward and gave them the confidence to do these works.
Our salvation is freely given and there is no work we can do to earn it. However, that gift should inspire us into action. We were made to proclaim God's truth and make bold moves in faith! Ask God today to help you step out of your comfort zone by serving on a team at church or making bold moves and changes in your attitude and behaviors.
Living in Faith means trusting God to work on your behalf and when the time is right. Sometimes bold moves can even appear as a lack of action. Sometimes living in faith can mean to stay right where you are. Either way, it's still faith in action. Whatever your might next step might be, whatever you have been seeking in prayer about this 30 days, remember God has already prepared a way for you to make bold moves in your life. All you have to do is listen, take a step and let Him direct. All that you are and everything you do belongs to Him.
WORD
Romans 5:1: Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through out Lord Jesus Christ.
PRAYER
Dear God, Thank You for sending Jesus to die on the cross for us so that I could be saved. Thank You that through Your sacrifice and grace, I have the freedom to step boldly in the direction you have called me. I pray that I have strength to continue even when the road ahead looks scary. I ask that You give me strength to be a follower of grace and truth and love. In Jesus' name, Amen.
SHARE
Our prayer for you in this season is to eagerly await what the Lord will do for us, in us and through us during these very special 30 days. Our heart is to spread the hope of Jesus to the world around us. Invite your family and friends to this daily devotional, save the image below, and share via social media!
- If you are viewing this email on a phone, press and hold the image, then click 'Save Image.'
- If you are viewing this email on a computer, hover your mouse over the bottom left of the image, then click (or right-click) to download and share.
