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LEARN & GROW
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Week of October 4, 2009
KEY VERSE
"Be doers of the word, and not hearers only..." (James 1:22)
CENTRAL TRUTH
Our actions demonstrate what we believe.
DEVOTION
"Do as I say, not as I do!" I heard that unfortunate phrase from my parents growing up. To an impressionable child it highlighted inconsistencies between what my parents said to do and what they did. While I might have obeyed at the time, my heart longed for the day when I could "do" what I wanted! However, when I became a follower of Jesus, I found myself confronted once again with the question of whether my actions measured up to my statement of faith. This is precisely what we are reading about in Hebrews and James this week.As a non-believer, I began college with the wrong intentions and quickly became involved in the traps that college life can offer. These allowed me to "do" things contrary to the "sayings" I had heard earlier. However, I quickly found "doing" forbidden things carried consequences and difficulties that were far more unpleasant than the feeling of missing something by not doing them. It was during this sense of despair that I reached out to Jesus and committed my life to Him. As a believer I knew I was forgiven and truly free, but what did this new freedom mean? Could I go on living the old way, but without guilt or fear of punishment? No, it brought the realization that my actions were now a statement about my faith. As a believer, I learned my actions were being watched by others. If I did something that didn't measure up, non-believers would come to me and say, "I thought you were a Christian." In my heart I now wanted to "do" what was right. Despite my frequent failures, I did not give up and "by faith," God is transforming my actions! You will see that Hebrews 11 is filled with flawed people that "by faith" trusted God and accomplished great things. As you read these chapters keep in mind that, "...without faith it is impossible to please Him" (Hebrews1:6), but that you are also encouraged to, "show your faith by you works" (James 2:18b). Ask God to help you make these two commands consistent in your life!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- How are your actions inconsistent with your profession of faith in God?
- What do you need to change to make your faith more evident in your actions? Prayerfully ask God to help you make these changes.
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