“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Eph 4:1-2 (NIV)
What does a life worthy of the calling you have received look like? It looks like humility, gentleness, patience, and forbearance in action. It is not enough to know to do right. You must place into action what you know. Application is the activation of faith. Notice how Jesus describes such a life.
- “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matt 7:24-27 (NIV)
Jesus authenticates that hearing God’s Word is not enough. You must put feet to your faith by putting into practice God’s Word. Application determines whether you are building on sand or on the rock. James affirms the teaching of Christ.
- “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:17 (NIV)
Is your faith dead or alive? Take a close look at your conduct both in private and in public. What does your conduct declare about your faith? Are you obeying what you know? Is your conduct consistent with the character of Christ?
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Pastor of Leadership and Pastoral Care