Thursday, August 25, 2005

Faith's Follow-through

A reading from James chapter 2:

Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Many sports emphasize the importance of the “follow-through.” In basketball, baseball and golf, coaches teach their athletes that good follow-through is necessary for good shooting or stroking. Beginners often don’t see the sense in this—how can the shot be affected by what you do after the ball is already in motion? Well, it is true that once the ball is on its way, your follow-through cannot affect it. But the point is this: the shot or the stroke cannot be executed properly without the type of action that results in the desired follow-through. The follow-through is the inevitable outcome of a good technique.

In the same way, “good works” are the inevitable outcome of a healthy faith in Jesus. James tells us that if your faith is not showing itself in your life through your actions, watch out! Follow-through is evidence of good technique, and good works are evidence of a living faith. Making decisions at work and at home that honor God’s teachings in the Bible are evidence that Jesus is living in your heart. But a life that has no time for church, no time for reading Bible stories to children at bedtime, no time to give God thanks for the gift of food on the table—such a life should be examined carefully. No follow-through can mean that the athlete has gotten out of the habit of regular practice. An athlete can easily lose a competition if he lets his technique become rusty. No athlete wants to miss the winning shot because he neglected his training. No Christian wants to miss their shot at heaven because they have neglected their faith. Please join me in praying:

Lord Jesus, we come before You in need of forgiveness. You have given us the precious gift of faith in You, a faith that promises us eternal happiness with You in paradise. But we often take this faith for granted; we get lazy, and do not make a point of studying Your word, giving You thanks, or asking for Your leadership as we should. Please show us Your mercy, and fill us with renewed joy over the opportunity to do good works in Your honor. In Your holy name we pray, amen.

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