James 2:18-26
[18] But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. [19] You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! [20] Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? [21] Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? [22] You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; [23] and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. [24] You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. [25] And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? [26] For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
Head: What do you think is the difference between 'knowing about God' and 'knowing God'?
Heart: Do you believe that it's worth it to live for God and to give everything to Him?
Hands: In what way might you need to obey God without knowing all the details? Or to risk disagreement, ridicule or persecution from others for Christ's sake?
Our faith is not just knowing about God. It knowing God. This means to have a relationship with Him. And to know God means to trust Him.
The nature of faith is that it is something that is demonstrated. As people in the Bible went through times that led them to take action based on their trust in God. Though Abraham didn't know all the details, he was willing to sacrifice Isaac because he believed that God, who had promised him a son, would somehow protect him. Rahab put herself at risk because she believed that God was more powerful than those who could threaten her.
In our lives today, we are also given circumstances in which we must demonstrate faith. Are you going through something a challenging or even painful time? Maybe God wants to show us that His presence in us protects us through the trials. So trust Him, let Him know what's on your heart, and press on so that in your weakness, God's strength may be manifested more clearly. Maybe you are facing the unknown. Which college? Which job? Which relationship? Maybe God wants to show you that He is always guiding you. Seek Him in prayer and make a decision to the best of your ability when the deadline comes. And He will confirm in your heart that He leads you in His wisdom and you are well in His care.
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Devotional Guide:
1) Pray for understanding in your mind, for trust in your heart, and for powerful obedience in your daily living.
2) Read the passage and mark anything that blesses you, challenges you, or raises a question.
3) Reflect on the passage. What's God saying about Himself? What's God saying about you?
4) Pray in response to what God puts on your heart through the Word.