03 April 2018

Faith Made Perfect

Some people buy vehicles for transportation, and others want to make a statement with their selection.  And there are those who adorn their cars with literal statements called bumper stickers.  Love them or hate them, where I lived in southern California vehicles were commonly plastered with them.  Besides a Local 5 Union sticker, I had one notable sticker for years I found on the Living Waters website:


1 April this year fell on Easter Sunday for the first time in recent memory, and after a online search to appease my curiosity I discovered 1956 was the last time this occurred - a bit before my time!  It is ironic a day remembered by deceiving and pranking others would be the day commemorating Resurrection Sunday.  The resurrection of Jesus Christ is no joke but a substantiated historical event and divine triumph which impacts believers and sceptics alike.  If Jesus did not rise from the dead Christianity is a farce, but if Jesus Christ did rise from the dead to dismiss it would be grave folly.  The resurrection of Jesus demonstrates the victory of Jesus over sin and death, and it is assurance Jesus will return to judge all who reject Him (Acts 17:30-31).

As the sticker points out, the Bible describes those who deny the existence of God as fools, but we believers have no footing to be smug about this.  Wise people can make foolish choices, which could be defined as making decisions without considering what God has said in the Word and He knows all things.  In the hearts and minds of Christians we too can play the fool, giving place to worry and fear when Jesus is risen and glorified.  If we ever are tempted to point fingers at the faults or hypocrisies of others, realise we are no better.  Having hearts that acknowledge God's existence and salvation through the Gospel, let us faithfully honour Him with our decisions and plans, seeking His guidance as we rest in Him.

James 2:19-22 reads, "You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?"  If we acknowledge the existence and wisdom of God, it follows we ought to practice what He says.  Genuine faith will be confirmed through obedience as the life of Abraham reveals.  Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness.  Abraham was not deemed righteous because he was obedient, but his faith in God was demonstrated through obedience.  Praise the LORD for the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the empty tomb still speaks to all who will heed with far more impact than a bumper sticker.

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