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Monday, June 22,
2009
Works For Me
James 2:19-20 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? (KJV)
Faith, my ability to believe and trust
the inward above and beyond the outward, is what brought life to my spirit
in the beginning of my walk with the Lord. Once you were born again, just
like with a child, it is expected that eventually you will get out of the
crib and learn to walk on your own. Faith without stepping out and acting
on what you hear from the Lord is dead, a dead end that will keep you in a
dead zone if not followed through. Even the adversary of our Lord believes
in God just like many others do, it’s the walking by faith that eludes them
because they still hold more to the outward than retraining themselves
according to their inward Spiritual senses.
James 2:21-24 Was not Abraham our father
justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? (22) Seest
thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
(23) And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and
it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of
God. (24) Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by
faith only. (KJV)
Sometimes the things that the Lord asks
of us seem difficult or hard to comprehend, like the Lord is trying to take
things away from us. Actually though, like with the illustration we see in
the above verses, a situation that appeared to be a death sentence, in
reality was brought to life by the obedience of Abraham. Hearing our Lord
is one thing, following through and acting on what is heard is what will
bring life to your walk and allow you to be and stay in good standing with
your Father.
Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye
saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9)
Not of works, lest any man should boast. (10) For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained
that we should walk in them. (KJV)
As you mature in your walk with the Lord
you find that the path is easier to see, especially when you get out of the
way. Sometimes, we can be our own worst enemy, well actually our carnal
minds, because we have decided how we are going to please our Lord rather
than seeking those things which He decided before the foundation of this
world would please Him. Are you confident enough in your walk to know that
the works that are taking place and are manifesting in your walk are of
God, something He ordained? Maybe the reason why there is some doubt or
confusion on your part is because you haven’t been walking the path that He
is asking you to, but rather you have chosen the one of least resistance.
2 Timothy 1:7-9 For God hath not given us
the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (8) Be
not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his
prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according
to the power of God; (9) Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy
calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and
grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (KJV)
Have you ever watched a movie for the
second time, and you already knew the ending? Maybe it is a movie that is
an action drama, an edge of the seat one that involves life and death
situations? Like with watching these shows, you cheer on and rejoice with
those in the end who stepped out and followed through with their commitment
for good. Now think of your own walk with the Lord, given the fact that He
has already wrote a script for your life, one with a victorious ending.
Still think there is something you are going to do to impress Him, or maybe
it is time to step out in faith, walking a path that He saw you on before
the foundation of the world.
Luke 18:7-8 And shall not God avenge his
own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
(8) I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son
of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (KJV)
When the Lord calls the Church home, the body
of believers in Christ that you became a part of once you were born again,
what path will He find you walking on?
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