Pastor’s Corner: “Divine Motion Detector”
James 2:17 (NIV) – 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 1:23-25 (NLT) – 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
True faith involves movements of obedience. It is like motion detector lighting. They only come on when they sense motion. The power to produce the light is constantly available but it doesn’t shine until there is movement. So, God’s power is constantly available to us but He’s waiting on our movement of obedience connected to faith.
Faith is belief plus action. Faith is a living, restless thing. Faith is something that moves; it simply cannot be inoperative. We have to use our faith. We often ask God to show up and demonstrate His power but what if He’s waiting on us to move? We already have plenty of commandments to obey and plenty of truth to act on. Why would God give us anymore if we haven’t acted on what He’s already told us?
Have you been obedient to His word? The inactivity of the church is a problem. We need to act on those things God has already revealed to us. And when we do move in obedience He will be infinitely more reliable than any motion detector light to “come on” and supply all the power, grace and love we need to do the things He’s set before us. “If you know these things…do them.” James 13:17 (NKJV)
Movement precedes provision. There are twenty or more one another commands in the Bible. Things such as “serve one another, encourage one another, care for one another, comfort one another, love one another and the ever popular, “put up with one another.” Ephesians 4:2, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” How many of these reciprocal commands are you practicing?
It’s your move! God wants to stir our hearts to faith and that means to stir us to action. James rebukes us all when he says, “What good does it do…if a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food and one of you says, ‘Depart in peace and be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed?” (James 2:14-16) Words don’t’ express faith—actions do!
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24 NIV). Jesus’ life was filled with obedience in faith. Let’s follow His example. The opportunities to be Jesus to this world are endless. We can’t do it all but we can do something. As a matter of fact, we can do a lot! God’s divine motion detector is on! Let’s move!
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton