Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” James 2:17, ESV
Theme: Dead faith produces no good works or “fruit.”
BACK TO LIFE
Like many of us, I stayed away from the gym for almost two years due to the pandemic, my own fears, and because I just got out of the habit of exercise. I started back in the summer of 2021 and was making progress. Then in September, I got shingles and the doctor told me to stay home to protect ladies who might be pregnant or who might touch things I had touched. Sigh... The very day I was cleared to return to public life, my husband tested positive for covid. One thing led to another, and I finally started back at the gym a few weeks ago. Was I sore? Yes. Did it feel like I had never worked out before in my entire life? Yes. But the coach said, “Those muscles will wake up quickly. They’ll come back to life.” And they did. Within a few days, I could feel them beneath my skin, hard as rocks, albeit tiny rocks!
DORMANT OR DEAD
There was life in my body and in my muscles, though they had been dormant for months and months. There is a vast difference between dead and dormant. It’s the exact same thing with our faith. And we must each take a good long look at our spiritual journey to determine which state we are in. In no way would I want you to doubt your salvation. That is, unless that very doubt would cause you to reexamine everything, test to see if you are really a part of God’s family, and possibly lead you to salvation.
If your faith is dormant, you have lived and breathed in the daily presence of the Lord and heard His voice. You have acted on His urgings, being generous as asked, serving where He directed. You may have stopped for some reason; you may be out of the habit of living out your faith, but you are certain of your relationship with the Risen Lord.
On the other hand, if you have a great “head knowledge” of God, and feel very righteous about how you are living your life, stop and think: Have I laid it all down for Him...ever? Have I served others as my Servant King has served me, sacrificially, with nothing withheld? Do I hear His voice and sense His pleasure?
Make It Personal: Take a look at your faith. Is it living and vibrant? Is it there, but dormant? Or is it head knowledge that does not involve your entire heart, soul, mind, and strength? If so, beware that though you are judged only on your faith, your faith can be verified by your life and good works. Examine yourself.
Pray: Lord, You are the One True God. More than that, you are my God and my Redeemer. I give You my life and I trust You to save me! I have a living faith and I will live my life obeying Your commandments and doing all You ask me to do. Amen.
Read: Matthew 21:28-31; Luke 13:5-9; 2 Corinthians 13:5