The Difference Between Believing and Faith
There are a lot of people who believe in being healthy and that good health is essential to a long life. Yet they hardly ever go to the gym or exercise. They rarely go to the store to buy fruits and veggies for a proper diet. Instead they often stay home to binge watch Netflix, eat fast food and veg. Sound familiar?
In comparison there are a lot of people who believe that Jesus Christ is who he said he is, that believing in him is essential for forgiveness and that his church is his family. Yet they rarely pick up a Bible to learn what he said or walk through the doors of a church. Instead they live with the belief that he’s real with no lifestyle to back it up. Sound familiar again?
You see, there’s a big difference between simply believing and having faith.
Faith in Jesus is never meant to be stationary. It’s an action word. It causes us, or should cause us, to make changes that show our faith in and our love for Jesus.
So, here’s my question… Do you simply believe in Jesus or do you have faith in him? The answer to this question is life changing.
There are a lot of people who believe in Jesus but they have no faith. The devil would be one of those. James describes it this way: “You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.” (James 2:19) The devil believes in God but at the end of the day he’s still the devil. His lifestyle proves he only loves himself.
But this is not God’s desire for your life. God desires is that your belief in his son Jesus would stir you to action. Life changing action! James goes on to ask “Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?” (James 2:20)
In other words, if our belief in Jesus is only in our heads it’s really a dead belief. Faith on the other hand is a life-long demonstration of our love for Jesus. It stirs us to want to worship him, to practice what he teaches, to be part of his family called the church, and to tell others about him.
Here’s what I suggest. Take some time today and evaluate your life. Ask yourself “do I simply believe or do I have faith that shows itself in action? What does my lifestyle show?”
The truth is we all need to grow in this area. Ask God to help you to take your next step in demonstrating your faith. It will be life changing.
I’m praying for you,
Zac
In comparison there are a lot of people who believe that Jesus Christ is who he said he is, that believing in him is essential for forgiveness and that his church is his family. Yet they rarely pick up a Bible to learn what he said or walk through the doors of a church. Instead they live with the belief that he’s real with no lifestyle to back it up. Sound familiar again?
You see, there’s a big difference between simply believing and having faith.
Faith in Jesus is never meant to be stationary. It’s an action word. It causes us, or should cause us, to make changes that show our faith in and our love for Jesus.
So, here’s my question… Do you simply believe in Jesus or do you have faith in him? The answer to this question is life changing.
There are a lot of people who believe in Jesus but they have no faith. The devil would be one of those. James describes it this way: “You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.” (James 2:19) The devil believes in God but at the end of the day he’s still the devil. His lifestyle proves he only loves himself.
But this is not God’s desire for your life. God desires is that your belief in his son Jesus would stir you to action. Life changing action! James goes on to ask “Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?” (James 2:20)
In other words, if our belief in Jesus is only in our heads it’s really a dead belief. Faith on the other hand is a life-long demonstration of our love for Jesus. It stirs us to want to worship him, to practice what he teaches, to be part of his family called the church, and to tell others about him.
Here’s what I suggest. Take some time today and evaluate your life. Ask yourself “do I simply believe or do I have faith that shows itself in action? What does my lifestyle show?”
The truth is we all need to grow in this area. Ask God to help you to take your next step in demonstrating your faith. It will be life changing.
I’m praying for you,
Zac
Pastor Zac is the lead pastor of Fusion Christian Church in Temecula, Ca.
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2 Comments
Thanks Zac. This in an important message, you’re right everyone needs to progress in this area, not just the people I’m thinking need to hear this message. 😂 myself is 100% included, I need to let this sink in and apply it to every minute of my day.
Thanks Kaya!