Thursday, December 15, 2011

SOAP 12/15/2011; James 2:22

Today's reading: James 1,2,3,4,5

S) "22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;"

James 2:22 (NASB)

O) So, there are tons and tons of things that stood out to me, reading the entire book of James. It's chalked full of challenging Scripture, encouragement, wisdom, etc. So, I decided to go with this one, running along the theme of faith that has been in the last 2 days of journaling. This verse is the embodiment and reasoning behind the more famously quoted, "faith without works is dead" from v.17. The reason, is because faith only really becomes faith (instead of just belief), when it is tested, applied, and proven. When our beliefs go beyond our heart's voice, even beyond our voice's confession, then it's proven to be faith. If we're not acting on our beliefs, then it's not truly faith, and it's subject to change according to circumstance and it's not credited to us as righteousness (as shown through Hebrews, as noted on 12/13/2011 and 12/14/2011).

A) So, this isn't exactly new, as it was covered the last couple days, but it bears repeating. This verse really serves as further conviction and solidifying my desire to stretch my faith on purpose, by design, and deliberately. So, the application comes this way, I'll pray and ask God to lead me into a specifc testing, proving, of my faith. And, more specifically, I will commit now to obedience.

P) Father, I want to be Yours completely. I commit to obedience and ask that You would help me grow my faith. Holy Spirit, lead me to excercise my faith and reveal the will of the Father to me in this. Guide me as I make a focused effort in this, Lord. Embolden me to overcome any fear, and let me learn to trust Your voice. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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