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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