Empty Faith
“My friends, what good is it to say you have faith, when you don’t do anything to show that you really do have faith? Can that kind of faith save you?” James 2:14 (CEV)
There are a lot of people going around and calling themselves a Christian. Yet their actions do not confirm their profession. Many people that consider themselves a Christian should admit that their everyday actions are more world-like than they need to be.
If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be a donkey, right? NO! It is a duck. Well, if you talk like the world and behave like the world, you must be a Christian, right? NO!
Going to church does not make you a Christian anymore than standing in your garage makes you a car.
The Christian life is one of dedication, devotion, and discipleship. The person of true faith shows it all day, everyday. If the people around you do not know you are a Christian, unless you tell them, you are probably not living like you should.
How can you claim to be a Christian and allow profanity out of your mouth, or even let it enter your mind? How can you claim your body to be the temple of God, but fill your body with drugs, alcohol, or tobacco? The Christian is to be pure in life, but if you practice fornication of all sorts when you get the chance, how does that describe your faith?
Friends, do you really have faith? 2 Corinthians 13:5 teaches each person to examine yourself to see if you are in the faith. Take inventory of yourself. What do you do to prove that you are a Christian? Do the people around you know you are a Christian because it shows in your behavior or only because you have told them? Are you the type of example that others would want to be? Would people want to go to a church if all the members where you attend are like you? You guys know the answer.
Those who profess Christianity, yet do not live like a Christian are actually an enemy of God. James 4:4 tells us that friendship with the world makes one an enemy of God.
In fact, if a person is not living like a Christian should be living, they are the worst enemy of God today. These empty faith people are giving a bad reputation to those actually trying to live like Jesus. Today, God needs every Christian to rise up above this world and let their light shine by their examples and lifestyle. God does not need hypocrites.
Many years ago, a man by the name of George Whitfield called these people: “almost Christians” and he explained that these “almost Christians” did more damage to the cause of Christ than any atheist could ever do. If this nation started acting like a Christian nation it claims to be, the rest of the world could not point to our immorality and decadence and arrogance to be called infidels. If we behaved like Christians, many people would want to live that way also.
If you are going to act like the world, then do us a favor and stop calling yourself a Christian. Such behavior reflects on everyone who is truly a Christian, and your hypocrisy allows the atheist and agnostic to criticize all Christians as being phony or empty. Come visit us and let us show you how to fill your life with Christianity and true faith that saves.
God is not willing that any perish (2 Peter 3:9). You must believe that Jesus is the Son of God and died on the cross for your sins. (Acts 8:37). You must repent of your sins (Luke 13:3), you must confess Jesus as Lord (Matthew 10:32) and you must be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). Then you must remain faithful and continue learning how to serve God (2 Peter 3:18). Let us help you on your spiritual journey. May God bless you in your study of His Word.
You are invited to worship with us at the Eastside Church of Christ in Ranger Texas, located at the corner of Strawn Rd and Young St. We meet for worship on Sunday at 10:45 and 5:00pm. We have Bible study on Sunday at 9:45 am and Wednesday 7:00pm.
By Carey Scott via Ranger Times 7/17/2011

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