Friday, November 1, 2013

Faith Never Stands Alone

Paul writes that we are to be examples of faith. This word is one of the most used words, second to love, and is one of the most distorted words. The world uses faith as though faith in and for anything is sufficient. They teach doctrines of demands so that faith in any god or faith in self, or just faith that things will work themselves out is all that is needed. They teach that faith alone is the virtue.

But when Paul talks about faith, he is not speaking of faith disjointed from any object of faith. He is referring to faith in the only true God and Jesus Christ whom God sent (John 17:3). It is faith that God himself will cause things to work out that we are to be exemplify ( Romans 8:28-29; Hebrews 13:20-21).

How can we be examples of faith? Most often it is through trials that people observe our faith. The author of Hebrews writes, "Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, observing the outcome of their conduct. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever" (Hebrews 13:7-8).

We demonstrate faith through actions (Hebrews 11; James 2:18-26).