Are you a faithful believer or a religious person?
Quite a compelling question; surely some will say “isn’t this two of the same thing?” Take a few minutes and read James 1, it’s a great chapter for those who want to understand the difference between being a faithful believer and a religious person. To use James’ words: are you a doer or a hearer?
While our works will not get us to Heaven, and there is no amount of works we can do to make up for our failings, our faith should be defined by our works. We are saved by God’s grace alone; if that thought doesn’t get you fired up enough to work for Him, to show Him any level of appreciation, I submit you are a hearer: a religious person. Someone who when ‘at church’ ‘knows and loves God’: but when anywhere else doesn’t listen to hear His voice.
James 1: 21-25
Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
James tells us what it is like to be a hearer, but notice it is the doer who will be blessed. Not because it will earn him a place in Heaven. The doer already has his place in Heaven, the works he does here on Earth bring him blessings while here on Earth. One whose works show his love for the greatness of the kingdom of God works as a result of his salvation, not as a condition to gain it.
This is my challenge to you:
Be a doer. Do cheerfully: not as a compulsion. Give willingly: not just your money but your time and talents. Throw away the burden of your religion, and open your heart to seeking and knowing God; form a relationship with Him that outshines the sun. Let Jesus be seen in all that you do and say. In all of this you will surely be blessed.
I challenge you as I challenge myself. There are 345 days left this year, should this year last, make an effort every day to DO. If we all Do together, what a difference we can make on our world.
