When you hear this statement, “we are to be a people of faith”, what does that mean to you? People will say, in order to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, you must come by faith. This statement is absolutely correct. However, once you accept Him as your Savior, what are you doing with your faith? Some people get involved in ministry and start working, but are they moving forward in the calling on their lives. This is how some people become frustrated in ministry, because they are not functioning according to the will of the Lord. Therefore, it’s important for you to accept the Lord through faith, and continue by faith. Asking the Lord for guidance in the work he has for you. Then you move forward in faith doing the work. This is how the excitement you have continues to grow because you are able to see the Lord moving in your life by faith. Your faith in the Lord is evident in everything you do.
In James 2:14-26, the writer wants you to understand faith is the motivator, and work is the purpose. The primary point the writer wants you to know is that faith is a verb. Which means, whenever you hear someone talking about faith they are preparing to act on something. It’s not about you telling people you have faith in the Lord, but showing them through your actions. The writer does not want you to talk about faith, but be about it. Within these verses the writer gives two examples of people that put their faith into action. The first was Abraham, when the Lord called him, it appeared he had nothing to offer God. He was seventy-five years old, married to Sarah, but they had no children. God told him, he would be a father of many nations. Abraham stepped out on faith, even though the evidence showed he had nothing to offer God. Abraham was justified by him moving forward in faith, believing God will make a way out of no way. Therefore, when God instructed him to sacrifice his son, he moved by faith. By doing this, his son was spared and there was a ram in the bush.
The second person the writer uses is Rahab, a prostitute in Jericho, who kept the spies safe that came to survey the land. She believed the Lord was with the Israelites, so she watched over the spies and showed them the way to safety. It appeared she had nothing to offer the Lord, but she had faith and was motivated to keep these spies safe. This was her work for the Lord. Then the writer makes this statement, “faith without works is dead.” Therefore, if you have faith, then you have been motivated to work towards your purpose. In essence don’t talk about it, be about it.
Now, what are you going to do? If you are driven by faith, then you will not be able to keep still. Why, because through your faith in the Lord, you recognize your purpose. So, you are motivated to do as the Lord has instructed. Therefore, move forward being about the work of the Lord. Continue to walk in your blessings!
Don’t talk about it, be about it