Living Faith, or Dead Faith?
by Cheery Blossom(37)These thoughts have been running through my head every since one of our pastors preached on living, and dead faith, so here goes!
When people have dead faith, there is no power, and no change in their lives. They believe in “easy salvation,” and they say a few words of repentance, and go on their way, living just as usual. The scriptures say that “even the devil believes, and trembles,” but obviously he is not a follower of Christ.
A true faith will change a life. If there is no evidence of any changes in our lives, we must take a strong look into our own heart. The Word says “…old things have passed away, behold, all things become new. II Corinthians 5:17 . Whenever there is a birth, there is a new life. A baby has new life, and a baby Christian should also have new life. I am not saying that we will be mature; I am just stating that there will be SOME changes.
To me, true repentance seems to be the key. In the scriptures, there seems to be at least 7 examples of people who said, “I have sinned,” but few of them show that the statement was real.
First, let’s look at the prodigal son. He came to his father and said, “I have sinned.” He truly seems to have repented, as his life had been changed. He was ready to totally give up his old life and be a servant to his father. He had true sorrow for the way that he had been living, and made a complete change of life. Now, it wasn’t self, he was ready to serve. Luke 15:18-21
Consider Pharaoh. In Exodus 9 and 10, Pharaoh said, “I have sinned.” (9:27) He promised to let the people go, but as you read on, he did not. His, was a repentance of fear, not sorrow for his sins.
Achan said “I have sinned,” but made excuses of not understanding the situation. Numbers 22:34. He tried to minimize his sin.
King Saul said “I have sinned” but there was not true repentance, as he was placing the blame on someone else. “I feared the people, and obeyed their voice” I Samuel 15:24
Judas said, “I have sinned,” but it was a statement of hopelessness and despair, and he went out and hanged himself. This was repentance towards what would happen to him, and not repentance towards God. Matthew 27:4.
David said, “I have sinned,” and pleaded for God’s forgiveness. He was willing to take any steps that God chose for him; because he knew what he deserved. I Samuel 15:30
Job experienced true repentance in his confession, when God approached him with his sin. He was truly repentant. We know, because God knows the heart, and Job was blessed far above all that he had previously lost.
We cannot fool God. He knows our hearts. Have we a truly repentant heart? Only we and God know for sure; but, if we have, there will be God’s blessing and fruit in our lives. The whole secret lies in II Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Could it be that wickedness prevails because of those of us who profess His name? Let’s make sure of our position in Christ. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Have we truly repented?
SEARCHING THE HEART
For what reason, do we repent?
Is it only for our own gain?
Or, do we realize our sin?
Or is our life only a game?
If there’s never been changes,
In the way that we choose to walk;
If there’s not any difference,
In the way that we choose to talk,
It’s time to examine ourselves.
Are we living in dreadful sin,
While all the time we’re proclaiming,
That our hearts have let Jesus in?
God searches each and every heart.
He knows just where we all stand.
It’s time that we start bearing fruit,
Just as our dear Lord has planned!
Article submitted Sunday, August 30, 2009 & read 201 times.
Leave Your Comments:
» left by Marijo Phelps(231)(1 year 10 days ago.)
Oh, very good! Also, in the Greek word "believe" means believe and obey - so there was none of this head belief stuff without ACTING upon those beliefs. Hum, I think I might write on this! Thanks again for the inspiration! MarijoRespond to this comment
