Authentic Bible Faith : Part IV of V
By Mark Stidham
Even so faith, if it hath not works (or corresponding actions),
is dead, being alone. (Jas 2:17)
It is also important to understand that true faith calls for
action. To simply believe something is not enough to qualify it
as true Bible faith. What do I mean? Well I can believe all day
long that if I put my key in my car crank it, press the gas that
it will take me to town. Now I am perfectly correct in believing
that, however if I do not get in the car, put in the key, turn
the switch press the gas then it will sit in my driveway all day
long, doing me absolutely no good.
Now I believe when I sit at my desk chair it will sustain me. I
have faith in that fact when I actually sit in it. Faith is
acting on what you believe.
And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was
noised that he was in the house. And straightway many were
gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive
them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the
word unto them. And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the
palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come
nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he
was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed
wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus SAW THEIR FAITH
(emphasis mine), he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy
sins be forgiven thee. (Mark 2:1-5)
How did Jesus see their faith? He saw their actions. Having said
that let me clarify something, we do not need to do foolish
actions before we have built up our faith to that point. For
example some have thrown away their medicine thinking they were
acting in faith and died. We have to act but we have to act at
the level where we are. If we look to the Word day and night and
build ourselves up in faith there will come a time when we will
know that we know that we no longer need medication and a doctor
can confirm that. Until that time we take our medication, and
simply thank God every time we do. Did you know that speaking is
an action, praising and thanking God is an action? Do that and
you will be acting and building your faith at the same time.
Actually some things in the Bible only call for a confession of
our mouth as the only action. Romans 10:9-10 for instance, says
if we confess Jesus as Lord and believe God raised him from the
dead we will be saved. Confessing in faith in that situation is
the only action required. If something else is required in your
situation the Spirit will let you know and you can take that
action in complete confidence.
Mark L. Stidham Th.D. is an Ordained minister, a life coach,
a motivational speaker, a preacher, a pastor, an evangelist, a
web site publisher, a writer, a songwriter, a singer, a
photographer and a musician. Mark has been married to his wife
and valuable life partner, Patty Stidham for 19 years.
