Journey in Faith to Action
Faith. Simple faith. Is that all that we need?
What is faith without action? Are you going to sit back and do nothing?
First, let me explain. We can place our faith in many different people, organizations, or things, but faith is not enough. Look around. We see people placing their faith in politicians. As an old Southern Lady, I say, "Bless their hearts." In my years of living, I've followed politics, worked in several jobs, and volunteered. I've found that my faith in God gives me more peace and assurance than any politician, manager, or anyone/thing. My faith has helped me through hard times. I've been able to find joy when facing obstacles in life, because I have hope through my faith in the redemption given me by my Savior, Jesus Christ.
My faith in God has lead to action. After committing fully to God in 1977, I was filled with a love and vision, and I had to act. God gave me a love for all children. This wasn't a simple love. This love is where I looked on each child in my path as special. If you have read this far, let me tell you that this love opened my eyes to their hurts and pains. If you aren't a person of faith, let me tell you that I have witnessed the power of prayer and it was more than "positive thinking." Yes, the mind has a lot to do with actions, but this is from a spirit filled mind in Christ. If you can't find peace, I challenge you to open your Bible to Romans and read Paul's arguments about faith versus law, faith versus being righteous, and physical versus spiritual. Don't back away from anything written by Paul, because he was scholar and Pharisee who did not believe until he was knocked down on his way to arrest Christians. He was physically blinded. In the end, he gained more than his visual sight; Paul was transformed into a man of faith. As a man of faith, he gave all to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul's letters show us how to put faith into action.
Paul's instruction to Christians in Romans 12:1,2
"I beseech you therefore, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
Do you see the bold above? Part of the to do is to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
Our minds control how we react. Paul knew that the mind is our control center. In Ephesians 4:23, 'be renewed in the spirit of your mind.' In Romans 8:5,6, 'Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, sets their minds on things of the Spirit.' Think about what controls your mind. Is it ego? Revenge? Greed? Pleasure? Desire to be like the world? Addictions? Think about how your friends and what you read influences how you think. Search for Romans 12 and read the list of actions listed in verses 3 through 21. These verses reflect the Christian mind and character. I don't see this as a to do list but as how a Christian will mold their life. These actions don't make one a Christian; salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ and every word in scripture leads to the sinners redemption through the Son of God, Jesus Christ. These actions reflect the heart and mind of a Christian.
Of these actions, LOVE is above all the center. Love should be without hypocrisy and love will lead us to show brotherly love to one another, put others before self, be humble, patient, give to those in need, not be revengeful, and overcome evil. We should not let hate build up in our minds and hearts, because hate destroys. It is because of God's love that God sent his Son for our salvation. (John 3:16) Jesus lived 33 years as an example for each of us. He loved the wayward woman, the tax collector, the Roman soldiers, the poor and rich, and those who nailed him to the cross. He was never rich in the world and had no place to call home in the world. Jesus' example and love is our blueprint for living and action. We don't have to agree with the politics or life of a person, but we are to love them without hypocrisy. Setting our minds to love as Jesus loved will lead us to a life of prayer and service.
In regards to service, we are instructed to use our talents and spiritual gifts.(6) Each person has some kind of special gift, hobby, or service we can share. Hospitality, music, speaking, writing, cleaning, cooking, health care, encourager, builder, landscaper, plumber, and the list continues, because everyone has something to give. As the Holy Spirit dwells in you and leads, your mind will no longer be set on "high things" but you will become 'humble' with an open mind to those who come your way.(16) You will serve others in Christian love, because of your faith and your hope for a better tomorrow.
In our faith journey, we should take action by showing God's love to the world. Christians, so many of us are falling short. We follow the crowds. We don't faithfully search the scriptures daily. Maybe, we need bells to ring out each morning at 5 AM to pray and meditate on God's Word and another in the evening. Instead of making people our idols, we need to have a spiritual renewal of our minds to serve God not man. May the actions in our lives reflect God's love and Jesus' humble service. My desire in my journey of faith is to serve and live for Jesus. Now, ask yourself if your faith is leading you to action for the growth of God's Kingdom. It is simply faith in the resurrection of Jesus which leads to true worship, love, and minds set to serve. This is our journey in faith to action.
Note:
The reason I even mention making man our idols, I watch the Trump Rallies and listen to the media placing Christian evangelicals as the crowds who swarm to these rallies. I'm sorry, please read the scriptures and determine if this is where you should be as a person of faith. I'm ashamed that we have a president who is publicly vulgar and shows little respect to others, and a media who is out to destroy instead of report the facts. Personally, I don't know of any Christians who go to these rallies. Then, the tweet wars between the president and whoever is insanely childish on the part of all involved right down to the media. I feel like we are already in a socialist country where we don't know truth from falsehood. This note goes for those of any political persuasion, examine your minds and seek to understand why you have so much hate and bitterness. Hate and bitterness is a source of destruction which is demonstrated in the many shootings across our country. My God is about loving one another with no exceptions.
What is faith without action? Are you going to sit back and do nothing?
First, let me explain. We can place our faith in many different people, organizations, or things, but faith is not enough. Look around. We see people placing their faith in politicians. As an old Southern Lady, I say, "Bless their hearts." In my years of living, I've followed politics, worked in several jobs, and volunteered. I've found that my faith in God gives me more peace and assurance than any politician, manager, or anyone/thing. My faith has helped me through hard times. I've been able to find joy when facing obstacles in life, because I have hope through my faith in the redemption given me by my Savior, Jesus Christ.
My faith in God has lead to action. After committing fully to God in 1977, I was filled with a love and vision, and I had to act. God gave me a love for all children. This wasn't a simple love. This love is where I looked on each child in my path as special. If you have read this far, let me tell you that this love opened my eyes to their hurts and pains. If you aren't a person of faith, let me tell you that I have witnessed the power of prayer and it was more than "positive thinking." Yes, the mind has a lot to do with actions, but this is from a spirit filled mind in Christ. If you can't find peace, I challenge you to open your Bible to Romans and read Paul's arguments about faith versus law, faith versus being righteous, and physical versus spiritual. Don't back away from anything written by Paul, because he was scholar and Pharisee who did not believe until he was knocked down on his way to arrest Christians. He was physically blinded. In the end, he gained more than his visual sight; Paul was transformed into a man of faith. As a man of faith, he gave all to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul's letters show us how to put faith into action.
Paul's instruction to Christians in Romans 12:1,2
"I beseech you therefore, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
Do you see the bold above? Part of the to do is to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
Our minds control how we react. Paul knew that the mind is our control center. In Ephesians 4:23, 'be renewed in the spirit of your mind.' In Romans 8:5,6, 'Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, sets their minds on things of the Spirit.' Think about what controls your mind. Is it ego? Revenge? Greed? Pleasure? Desire to be like the world? Addictions? Think about how your friends and what you read influences how you think. Search for Romans 12 and read the list of actions listed in verses 3 through 21. These verses reflect the Christian mind and character. I don't see this as a to do list but as how a Christian will mold their life. These actions don't make one a Christian; salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ and every word in scripture leads to the sinners redemption through the Son of God, Jesus Christ. These actions reflect the heart and mind of a Christian.
Of these actions, LOVE is above all the center. Love should be without hypocrisy and love will lead us to show brotherly love to one another, put others before self, be humble, patient, give to those in need, not be revengeful, and overcome evil. We should not let hate build up in our minds and hearts, because hate destroys. It is because of God's love that God sent his Son for our salvation. (John 3:16) Jesus lived 33 years as an example for each of us. He loved the wayward woman, the tax collector, the Roman soldiers, the poor and rich, and those who nailed him to the cross. He was never rich in the world and had no place to call home in the world. Jesus' example and love is our blueprint for living and action. We don't have to agree with the politics or life of a person, but we are to love them without hypocrisy. Setting our minds to love as Jesus loved will lead us to a life of prayer and service.
In regards to service, we are instructed to use our talents and spiritual gifts.(6) Each person has some kind of special gift, hobby, or service we can share. Hospitality, music, speaking, writing, cleaning, cooking, health care, encourager, builder, landscaper, plumber, and the list continues, because everyone has something to give. As the Holy Spirit dwells in you and leads, your mind will no longer be set on "high things" but you will become 'humble' with an open mind to those who come your way.(16) You will serve others in Christian love, because of your faith and your hope for a better tomorrow.
In our faith journey, we should take action by showing God's love to the world. Christians, so many of us are falling short. We follow the crowds. We don't faithfully search the scriptures daily. Maybe, we need bells to ring out each morning at 5 AM to pray and meditate on God's Word and another in the evening. Instead of making people our idols, we need to have a spiritual renewal of our minds to serve God not man. May the actions in our lives reflect God's love and Jesus' humble service. My desire in my journey of faith is to serve and live for Jesus. Now, ask yourself if your faith is leading you to action for the growth of God's Kingdom. It is simply faith in the resurrection of Jesus which leads to true worship, love, and minds set to serve. This is our journey in faith to action.
Note:
The reason I even mention making man our idols, I watch the Trump Rallies and listen to the media placing Christian evangelicals as the crowds who swarm to these rallies. I'm sorry, please read the scriptures and determine if this is where you should be as a person of faith. I'm ashamed that we have a president who is publicly vulgar and shows little respect to others, and a media who is out to destroy instead of report the facts. Personally, I don't know of any Christians who go to these rallies. Then, the tweet wars between the president and whoever is insanely childish on the part of all involved right down to the media. I feel like we are already in a socialist country where we don't know truth from falsehood. This note goes for those of any political persuasion, examine your minds and seek to understand why you have so much hate and bitterness. Hate and bitterness is a source of destruction which is demonstrated in the many shootings across our country. My God is about loving one another with no exceptions.
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