Memorise: For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. – James 2:26
Read: James 2:14-26 (KJV)
One common error in Christendom today is to think that it is scriptural to confess your way to success without backing up such confessions with works. Faith in practice is actually the opposite of this. It is not just about confessing scriptures, but about acting it out when confronted with real-life circumstances and situations. Faith in practice is what produces the miracle-working power of God. In contrast to faith, unbelief upsets God and we must all run away from it. The children of Israel could not enter into the Promised Land because of unbelief (Hebrews 3:19). In Mark 2:1-12, a paralytic man was brought before Jesus by four men who broke the roof of a house to get him there. This was faith in practice. They were practically saying to all the forces and situations surrounding this man’s life that they were ready to get injured while climbing and nothing would stop them. They were also ready to take up the financial burden of damaging and repairing the roof of a house that was not theirs. They did all this because they knew that the challenges facing them were nothing when compared with the blessedness of having their paralytic friend receive his miracle. Some people have many different versions of the Bible in their homes but do not practice the faith they read in it. Some people have many different versions of the Bible in their homes but do not practice the faith they read in it. Some even possess a Ph.D. in the study of the Bible but still have no faith. This is because they read and study it, but they don’t apply its content to their lives.
Some years back, we went to Haiti to hold a city-wide crusade, and we were blessed to have a live broadcast of it on the radio. There was a man just lying on a bed in his house who accidentally tuned his radio to the station airing our program. In the course of preaching, the Lord said to me that there was someone within the reach of my voice who was impotent and that He was healing him right away. I relayed this message as I was told. When this man heard it, he said to himself, ”How did this Pastor know that I am impotent even though He cannot see me?” He immediately checked himself and realized he had been completely healed. He then left all he was doing, found his way to the crusade ground, and surrendered his life to Jesus. If only you can believe and act on what God says, you also will share your own testimony in Jesus’ Name. Who are the Goliaths harassing you? Consider that Goliath came to the battle with a sword, spear, and shield, while David came in the Name of the Lord of hosts (1 Samuel 17:45). Although David challenged Goliath with his mouth, he did not stop there. He picked up five smooth stones, not just one (1 Samuel 17:40). Even though one stone was enough to bring down Goliath, David did not take chances. That is faith in practice. I decree that every Goliath that is standing between you and your miracles shall be brought down completely in Jesus’ Name.
Key Point: Faith is acting on the word of God.
Related Topics : E. A. Adeboye, Faith,
