Reality #5 Part 3 What you do tells what you Believe
What You Do Tells What You Believe
When God speaks to a person, revealing His plans and purposes, it will always cause a crisis of belief. What you believe about God will determine what you do and how you live. What you do reveals what you believe about God, regardless of what you say. When God reveals what He has purposed to do, you face a crisis--a decision time. God and the world can tell from your response what you really believe about God.
David's Faith Demonstrated
1 Samuel 16:12-13
"And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the LORD said, 'Arise, anoint him, for this is he.' Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah."
Here God chose David and had Samuel anoint him to become the next king over Israel. In 1 Samuel 17 God brought David into the middle of His activity. While Saul was still king, the Israelites were at war with the Philistines. Still a young boy (likely 9-12 years of age), David was sent by his father to visit his brothers in the army. When David arrived, Goliath (a giant soldier nine feet tall) challenged Israel to send one man to fight him. The losing nation would become the slaves of the winner. Israel's army was terrified (Interesting note: At this period in time Israel didn't have iron technology and the Philistines did, It is quite possible that the only swords that Israel had were Sauls and Jonathans!). David asked in amazement, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" (vs.26). David faced a crisis of belief. He may have realized that God had brought him to the battlefield and had prepared him for this assignment.
David said he would fight this giant. He stated his belief, "The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine" (v. 37). David refused to take the normal weapons of war. Instead he took a sling and five smooth stones. He said to Goliath, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand...that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD's, and He will give you into our hands" (vs. 45-47). David killed Goliath, and Israel went on to victory.
Sarai's lack of Faith
God called Abram and promised to make his offspring as numerous as the stars. Abram questioned God about this promise since he remained childless into his old age. God reaffirmed, "One who will come from your own body shall be your heir...And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness" (Genesis 15:4,6). Abram's wife Sarai was in her mid-seventies at this time. She knew she was past childbearing years, so she decided she would have to "build a family" in a different way. She gave her maid to Abram as a wife and asked for a child through her. Abram consented, and Ishmael was born to Hagar a year later. Sarai's actions indicated what she believed about God. Though Abram was commended for his faith, in this experience he joined with Sarai in trying to achieve God's purpose in man's ways.
Do you see how Sarai's actions told what she really believed about God? She did not have the faith to believe that God could do the impossible and give her a child at seventy-seven. Her belief about God was limited by her own human reason. This act of unbelief was very costly. Ishmael caused Abram and Sarai much grief in their old age. Ishmael and his Arab descendants have lived in hostility toward Isaac and the Jews from that time until today. What you do in response to God's invitation really does indicate what you believe about God.
Actions Speak
When God invites you to join Him and you face a crisis of belief, what you do next tells what you believe about God. Your actions really do speak louder than words. When the two blind men demonstrated that they believed Jesus was merciful and that He was the Messiah (Son of David), Jesus healed them according to their faith (Matthew 9:27-31). A woman who had been sick for years believed that just a touch of Jesus' garment would allow His healing power to flow to her. She was willing to risk public ridicule in order to experience His healing power. She acted in faith, and Jesus healed her (Matthew 9:20-22).
The disciples were caught in the middle of a storm on the sea. Jesus rebuked them, not for their human tendency to fear, but for their failure to recognize His presence, protection, and power (Matthew 8:23-27). In this case their actions revealed their unbelief rather than their faith. When the storms of life overtake us as this storm overtook the disciples, we often respond as if God does not exist or does not care.
When a centurion sought Jesus' help to heal his servant, he said, "Only speak a word, and my servant will be healed" (Matthew 8:8). Jesus commended the centurion's faith in His authority and power, and He healed the servant because of the faith of his master (Matthew 8:5-13). In each of these biblical examples, what the people did indicated to Jesus what kind of faith they had or did not have. What you do, rather than what you say you believe, reveals what you really believe about God!
True Faith Requires Action
When you face a crisis of belief, what you do demonstrates what you believe. "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (James 2:26). Faith without action is dead!
Hebrews 11 is sometime called "The Hall of Faith" or "The Roll Call of Faith." The individuals listed took action that demonstrated their faith. While studying Hebrews 11, however, you may notice that a faithful life does not always bring the same results in human terms. Verses 33-35a describe the victory and deliverance some people of faith experienced. Verses 35b-38 describe the torture, mockery, and death other people of faith experienced. Were some more faithful than others? No. They "obtained a good testimony through faith" (Hebrews 11:39). They decided a "Well done!" from their Master was more important than life itself. Verse 40 explains that God has planned something far better for people of faith than the world has, to offer Therefore: Hebrews 12:1-3
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Do Not Grow Weary
Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."
The outward appearance of success does not always indicate faith, and the outward appearance of failure does not always indicate that faith is lacking. A faithful servant is one who does what his Master tells him, whatever the outcome may be. As our example, we need only to consider Jesus who endured the cross; but now He is seated near the very throne of God! What a reward for His faithfulness! Do not grow weary in being faithful. A reward is awaiting faithful servants.
I pray you are trying to please God by earnestly seeking Him (Hebrews 11:6).
Following God's will always requires adjustments that are costly to you and even to those around you. This will be the topic of the next few posts!
In Christ,
David
When God speaks to a person, revealing His plans and purposes, it will always cause a crisis of belief. What you believe about God will determine what you do and how you live. What you do reveals what you believe about God, regardless of what you say. When God reveals what He has purposed to do, you face a crisis--a decision time. God and the world can tell from your response what you really believe about God.
David's Faith Demonstrated
1 Samuel 16:12-13
"And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the LORD said, 'Arise, anoint him, for this is he.' Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah."
Here God chose David and had Samuel anoint him to become the next king over Israel. In 1 Samuel 17 God brought David into the middle of His activity. While Saul was still king, the Israelites were at war with the Philistines. Still a young boy (likely 9-12 years of age), David was sent by his father to visit his brothers in the army. When David arrived, Goliath (a giant soldier nine feet tall) challenged Israel to send one man to fight him. The losing nation would become the slaves of the winner. Israel's army was terrified (Interesting note: At this period in time Israel didn't have iron technology and the Philistines did, It is quite possible that the only swords that Israel had were Sauls and Jonathans!). David asked in amazement, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" (vs.26). David faced a crisis of belief. He may have realized that God had brought him to the battlefield and had prepared him for this assignment.
David said he would fight this giant. He stated his belief, "The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine" (v. 37). David refused to take the normal weapons of war. Instead he took a sling and five smooth stones. He said to Goliath, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand...that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD's, and He will give you into our hands" (vs. 45-47). David killed Goliath, and Israel went on to victory.
Sarai's lack of Faith
God called Abram and promised to make his offspring as numerous as the stars. Abram questioned God about this promise since he remained childless into his old age. God reaffirmed, "One who will come from your own body shall be your heir...And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness" (Genesis 15:4,6). Abram's wife Sarai was in her mid-seventies at this time. She knew she was past childbearing years, so she decided she would have to "build a family" in a different way. She gave her maid to Abram as a wife and asked for a child through her. Abram consented, and Ishmael was born to Hagar a year later. Sarai's actions indicated what she believed about God. Though Abram was commended for his faith, in this experience he joined with Sarai in trying to achieve God's purpose in man's ways.
Do you see how Sarai's actions told what she really believed about God? She did not have the faith to believe that God could do the impossible and give her a child at seventy-seven. Her belief about God was limited by her own human reason. This act of unbelief was very costly. Ishmael caused Abram and Sarai much grief in their old age. Ishmael and his Arab descendants have lived in hostility toward Isaac and the Jews from that time until today. What you do in response to God's invitation really does indicate what you believe about God.
Actions Speak
When God invites you to join Him and you face a crisis of belief, what you do next tells what you believe about God. Your actions really do speak louder than words. When the two blind men demonstrated that they believed Jesus was merciful and that He was the Messiah (Son of David), Jesus healed them according to their faith (Matthew 9:27-31). A woman who had been sick for years believed that just a touch of Jesus' garment would allow His healing power to flow to her. She was willing to risk public ridicule in order to experience His healing power. She acted in faith, and Jesus healed her (Matthew 9:20-22).
The disciples were caught in the middle of a storm on the sea. Jesus rebuked them, not for their human tendency to fear, but for their failure to recognize His presence, protection, and power (Matthew 8:23-27). In this case their actions revealed their unbelief rather than their faith. When the storms of life overtake us as this storm overtook the disciples, we often respond as if God does not exist or does not care.
When a centurion sought Jesus' help to heal his servant, he said, "Only speak a word, and my servant will be healed" (Matthew 8:8). Jesus commended the centurion's faith in His authority and power, and He healed the servant because of the faith of his master (Matthew 8:5-13). In each of these biblical examples, what the people did indicated to Jesus what kind of faith they had or did not have. What you do, rather than what you say you believe, reveals what you really believe about God!
True Faith Requires Action
When you face a crisis of belief, what you do demonstrates what you believe. "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (James 2:26). Faith without action is dead!
Hebrews 11 is sometime called "The Hall of Faith" or "The Roll Call of Faith." The individuals listed took action that demonstrated their faith. While studying Hebrews 11, however, you may notice that a faithful life does not always bring the same results in human terms. Verses 33-35a describe the victory and deliverance some people of faith experienced. Verses 35b-38 describe the torture, mockery, and death other people of faith experienced. Were some more faithful than others? No. They "obtained a good testimony through faith" (Hebrews 11:39). They decided a "Well done!" from their Master was more important than life itself. Verse 40 explains that God has planned something far better for people of faith than the world has, to offer Therefore: Hebrews 12:1-3
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Do Not Grow Weary
Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."
The outward appearance of success does not always indicate faith, and the outward appearance of failure does not always indicate that faith is lacking. A faithful servant is one who does what his Master tells him, whatever the outcome may be. As our example, we need only to consider Jesus who endured the cross; but now He is seated near the very throne of God! What a reward for His faithfulness! Do not grow weary in being faithful. A reward is awaiting faithful servants.
I pray you are trying to please God by earnestly seeking Him (Hebrews 11:6).
Following God's will always requires adjustments that are costly to you and even to those around you. This will be the topic of the next few posts!
In Christ,
David
posted by Mark 1:17 at 11:48 AM
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