Faith that works

2010-03-12T19:50:00.001-08:00

Lets talk a little bit about faith.
What is faith? and how do we work faith out?

Example 1
Back in secondary school, when a friend of mine asked me if I had studied for an upcoming examination. I replied, "Nope, I don't have to. I have faith that my God will give me good results".

Example 2
During my college years, I would study hard for my examinations with the thought that I have to do my part in order for God to do His. Which is to give me good results because He has plans to prosper me. I studied hard knowing God out of His abundant love for me would reward me with good results.

So which one of these is faith?

These are just two examples that I am giving. There are many more. But what I would like to distinguish between these two examples are the actions involved.

Do we say we believe and not do anything about it? Or do we believe and work towards it?

People argue that if God already has a plan for you, you don't have to do anything because no matter what you do, things will happen according to God's plan. Let give an example, God has a plan for you to become a doctor, and you know that is your calling. And in order to become a doctor, you would definitely need excellent results. Am I not right? So therefore, God would have to give you excellent results in order for you to achieving in becoming a doctor cause that is what He has called you to be.

So is it true that we don't have to do anything on our part, and if God has predistined you to become SOMEONE or SOMETHING in the future, you will indeed end up there with or without taking any action?

I believe in the Word of God which says that we have to work out our faith.

James 2: 14

14 What good is it, my brother, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?

Can such faith save him?

The Bible clearly states that if you have faith and no works, then your faith is dead.

What does it mean that your faith is dead?

I believe its believing in something that will not come to pass or happen. Its building castles in the air on light fluffy clouds that would give way.

God even challenges us to have faith with works and He even showed us and gave an example that faith without works is dead.

James 2: 18-19

18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

19 You believe that there is one God! Even the demons believe that - and shudder.

20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?

21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?

22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.

23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend.

24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone

25 In the same way, was not even Rahad the prostitute considered rightous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?

26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

God is challenging us, friends and family, brother and sister. Let us be real. Lets not just let our mouths do the talking. Let us talk with our actions. Words are cheap.

If you're a student and you believe God will give you good results. Proclaim it, Yes! But remember to also study for it.
Again, let's be real. You're not gonna get all A's if you're just gonna sit at home and stare at the cube the whole day.

If you're working and you're believing God to make you a good employee that is highly favoured among your superiors. Then start working harder and not slack off.

If you have dreams and ambitions, its time to just stop talking about it but doing something to be on your way to achieving it. Let us put our faith into work and let our work reflect our faith.

This is a little something I picked up from a podcast.
Faith asks 2 questions.
1. What are you believing for?
2. What are you willing to do about it?

Keeping it Real

Aaron Tan

Introduction

2010-03-10T20:01:00.000-08:00

Work and school stress, peer pressure, temptation and lust, outrage emotions, jealousy and hate, vanity, and the list goes on.
These are all very real in our lives and everybody faces this. Nobody is exampted from all of these, even Jesus faced this. So let's be real. Lets not hide behind a mask that says everything is fine, everything is okay.
Its not fine and its not okay. The faster you realize this truth the faster you'll realize that you can't do it by yourself. The faster you'll come to know that you need help. And that's when He comes to aid us.

=)

My name is Aaron and I'm the host of this blog. I will be writing about my life and the things that we all face, and applying God's Word and Principle to overcome, be victorious and be blessed.
I'm gonna be real and I'm not gonna sugar coat things. Life as a christian is not a smooth journey and I don't want to give that impression to anybody. We face everything that everybody faces, its just that we have a source of strength, hope and faith. I wanna be real.

I hope and pray that this blog will encourage everyone.

Be blessed.

Keeping It Real

Faith that works

Introduction