Faith and Obedience

"But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only." - James 2:20-24

Hebrews 11 talks of people of great faith, like Abraham, Noah, and Enoch. Each and every one of them stepped out of their reality to do what God had said. Faith in God will create actions. God will ask you to use your Faith, and by doing so you are obedient to God. In turn, God is pleased because you were obedient. Faith honors God, and God honors Faith.

These people of long ago received something in return each time. Abraham received an Inheritance. Sarah received a child. Read Hebrews 11 and look for the word 'received' and you'll see their rewards.

If I have gas in my car, I can have faith that I can drive it. But if I choose not to, that gas lays dormant. Our faith in God is the same way. Yes you can have faith and not exercise it just like you can have legs and not run. But God is pleased with obedience (Matthew 12:7). Eventually that gas will evaporate, and the legs will lose their strength. Faith is like a muscle - you use it to strengthen it.

Having faith in God, believing He will save us is step one. But a relationship with God is so much greater than just a ticket to Heaven. Having faith that God can and God will do great things in us and through us is the life of spiritual luxury! When you believe He loves you and will take care of you enough to do what He says, go where He sends you, then you experience the fellowship of God, God being PROUD of you, God being HONORED by you.

Faith is a gift from God. Obedience to God unwraps that gift.