I received an email yesterday from someone who thought I was saying in my devotion, What Does It Mean to Believe, that “faith plus works” equals Salvation. This is far from truth and far from the meaning of my devotion. It is difficult to get clarity when a devotion only consist of 600 words on average. I’m sure you can understand that.
The purpose of my devotion was to point out the difference between acknowledgement–which brings about no change in a persons life, and what the result is when someone truly believes.
I’ve been in ministry for 10 years and the gospel is my passion. I receive emails from both women and men who ask me why after saying the “Sinners Prayer” no change has occurred in their lives.
If you read my article carefully, you’ll see I’ve stated the problem.
To “believe” means much more than simply acknowledging Christ’s death on a cross. Unfortunately, for many today that word has been reduced to just that – a mere mental acknowledgement. Like me, multitudes have said the sinner’s prayer because they believe Jesus died on a cross. But without the call to confess sin and commit to a life of following Christ in obedience, no transformation takes place. That’s the problem with knowledge alone. It requires no commitment and brings about no lasting change.
Again, to clarify… my devotion is more about the meaning of “belief” and the result it has on our lives. Many have a mental acknowledgement of what Christ did on the cross. This is not faith. James tells us that even the demons believe. They know who Christ is and tremble! Saving faith believes to the point of repentance and surrendering their entire life to Christ. (When you believe something you live by it.) I’m not talking about works. I’m talking about the result of true belief/Salvation can be SEEN by a changed life. Not a life who is striving to win God’s approval, but is so gripped by His love, mercy and grace they can’t help but show it in all they do and say.
Striving to do good works to win God’s approval will never result in Salvation nor peace we all seek. Striving only robs of us our peace and joy. Good works drain our energy and produce a constant feeling of inner exhaustion, depression and discouragement—just as those who write me express. They feel as if God’s salvation isn’t for them because it’s not working. Imagine that! Perhaps they’ve never been taught (or didn’t get it) what to do after they believe—and that’s to practice a relationship with God through trust, love and obedience.
Salvation comes by faith alone. What is faith? What does it mean to believe? It means more than mental acknowledgement. I can acknowledge that George Washington was our first President, but he can’t save me.
It’s more than saying a prayer. True belief causes me to confess my sin and surrender my life to Christ the Lord. The result is transformation.
My brother is a great example. He was chemically addicted for 20 years. Experts say he should be dead. Many times we thought he was. He “tried” for years to give up his addition. He would even tell God, “I’m gonna do better. I promise.” It wasn’t until he went into LifeChallenge and committed to bible study for a year that he fell to his knees, confessed his sin, and surrendered his life. He is completely different! That’s what happens when we give God our mess. He makes it our message.
He started a construction company because it was the only thing he knew to do. With one broken down truck, he’d bid on jobs. When he did, he would brag on God by telling his story.
“I went from being unemployed to owning my own business. From being homeless to being a home owner, from being single to being married, from being bound by drugs, to freedom in Christ.”
Within a year and half, my brother had four brand new trucks and four crews. Don’t you love it when God shows off! Brag on Him like my brother does and you’ll discover that God is still parting red seas!
I’ll be in IL this weekend speaking on “Contentment.” Your prayers are greatly appreciated!
May God bless your weekend abundantly!
Kelly says
I'm so sorry to trouble you. PLEASE do not feel compelled to answer this. I'm struggling with my faith, and I read your devotion today. I'm angry with God and wondering if that is okay. I feel like he is not taking care of his people. BAD things are happening to very faithful people. I KNOW this is part of it……I know we must suffer…..for His glory….but Jeez. My friend brought over 700 people to Christ this fall with the death of her 16 year old son. She also started a charity in his name. Her husbands buisness just went under and they are looking to sell their home. Their daughter is having nightmares about death. (understandably) My other girlfriend's husband is starting his fourth year of Chemo. The family knows that this will all glorify God….I don't see it. My husband is SO FAITHFUL ( and I thought I was too) but his construction buisness is now in trouble due to teh economy and I have to admit, I am worried. Is it okay to be angry with God. I don't know if I'm just down in the dumps, or really questioning my faith. Anyway….I apprecieate you reading this through. I really just need a sounding board. I am going to pick up the book you recommended When Real Life Collides With Faith, and see if that helps. Many thanks for your devotion today. I did NOT feel that you were promoting "works" as a way to get closer to God. ( for what it's worth!)
Tonya Ingram says
"The result is transformation"
I can attest to that. I believed for many years. I would make changes, but ended up back into sin, each and every time. The reason… I had not fully committed my life to God. Being obedient. Renewing my mind, which comes from reading His Word and applying His truth to my life. I am being transformed and am in awe at what He's doing in my life.
lisa says
Kelly Sweetheart!
I read a devotional that spoke exactly about the circumstANCES YOU ARE FACING!! It was March 11th's devotional on In touch Ministries Also I personally have been there. Please don't take up an offence with God. It is the oldest trick in the book of the enemy! Beginning with Eve. He put it in her head to question God! Just lean on Him through it all. Don't be like Judas who let the Pharisees get into his head and cause him to mistrust Jesus. You have to hold on tightly to your faith. No matter what may be happening around you. Those people that are hurting need your godly support more than ever. When Jesus was dying on the cross and he saw his Mother agonizing and looked over to John and saw the pain he was in He encouraged them to comfort one another .
Jeremiah 29:11
If you get a chance look up that devotional it may help
Love in Christ
Lisa
lisa says
I also can't help but think of Jesus walking on the water to the boat where disciples were. At first they were afraid, then Jesus calmed their fears. Then Peter asked JEsus to call to Him. He did and Peter stepped out of the boat. Stepping out in faith is the first step. The next is focusing and trusting the Lord . THe toughest part is staying focused! Peter walked on water at first, but then unbelief creeped its little head in and he was probably thinking " this is impossible!" He began to sink! The chaotic waters took over his focus instead of his trust in Jesus. But even then when he began to doubt and sink He called out to Jesus and was saved. Praise God HE is waiting to do the same for us, for you.
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,then I will hear from heaven forgive their sins and heal their land.
Audrey says
Kelly,none of us can surprise God. he knows where your heart is and he knows where your head is.
He sees, he knows, he understands.
I don't know who you could turn to other than God, in your pain.
Jesus experienced trauma in the Garden of Gethsemane. We will have problems too. Yet we should all say,"not my will, but yours."
God is always there Kelly, but it is up to us to keep holding his hand.
mary says
Dear Kelly, Each morning as your rise, praise the Lord. Even when you don't feel like it. Tell God 'I only have faith like a mustard seed today but I'll Praise you anyway in all things!
Write a scripture verse to have on you when you feel troubled, something like Psalms 56:3-4 "When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose Word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?"
In Deuteronomy 29:29 it says "There are secrets the Lord your God has not revealed to us, but these words which He has revealed are for us & our children to obey forever" It is not for us to know everything just to be faithful to Him. Remember this too shall pass.
I keep a prayer journal. When I am having a 'so where are you God?' day, I look in my journal & I see the glory of the things He has done.
You will go into my prayer journal, that the Glory of our mighty God will be shown in & through you & yours!
Blessings & Peace Mary
Dorothy says
Thank you Micca for your blog. I stumbled on it and now.look forward to reading it everyday even if I have to read the same day more than once :). Which probably means there is a message that I have missed from the Lord reading it the first time. As women we need to fill our lives with encouragement because there is enough out there to discourage us. May God bless.