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entry Nov 9 2007, 04:06 PM
There is much controversy as to what it takes for us to be saved, what actions we are to take. Paul says we're saved by grace alone, through faith and no action is required. James says our faith is revealed in our actions. Who is right? Both! What is missed by those who would say, you have to say this prayer or confess to these people or get dunked in this water (on and on)...what they miss is faith that God is fully capable of translating genuine belief into action. These well-meaning Christians think they have to instruct people in what to do and then inspect what they do to determine if their faith is valid. Jesus said whoever believes in Him will have eternal life...end of discussion. To say you have to add any action onto that belief is like saying Jesus is a liar. This is the opposite of faith in Jesus...it's faith in religious ritual. This is the same kind of thing Paul warned the Galatians about...if you put your faith in a religious act, for salvation, you are denying faith in Christ.

What brings Paul and James into total agreement is the fact that belief motivates action. Action follows belief! It isn't that repentance and confession and baptism and holy living aren't part of the package, they're just secondary to belief. Anyone who truly believes will pursue all those things with the power of the Holy Spirit driving and enabling them. Anyone who doesn't believe can do any and all of those things and still not be saved. Belief is the great motivator and enabler.

When Jesus said, "Your faith has made you well." He wasn't lying. How many times had the paralytic tried to get up and walk on his own in over 30 years, yet, when Jesus told him, he believed he would be healed...and he was. Belief motivates us in the physical world and the Spiritual world. If you believe you can earn a promotion, you'll work harder and try to impress the boss. If you believe your house is on fire, you'll get out, quick. The kingdom of heaven is just like that. As you believe, so you will do. So, it would be good for us all to be careful what we believe.


 
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