Living Out Faith

Over the course of a year and a half, I read the entire bible. This was one of the biggest victories of my life. For me, reading is something that brings great discomfort and something that I have struggled with ever since my youth. Though I was and am very proud of completing such a task, I know I have put myself in a challenging situation. As a Christian, I am called to love God through obedience of the word. By reading the whole bible, I have forfeited any excuse for not following biblical teachings. I read so I would know more about God and know how I should conduct myself being as one of his disciples. For many Christians, believing in God is a sufficient exercise of faith, but is this faith at all? Is it faith to just believe and not act on those convictions? What I propose is that the words faith and belief have been incorrectly interchanged for one another when in actuality; they are two different things that both are needed for true to devotion to God.

To believe something takes no effort at all. If I think that pressing the power button on the television will turn on the electronic, then that is belief. For me to actually take that belief and put into action by pressing the power button is faith. Though it only took a small amount of faith to press the button, Jesus did say,“I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move” (Mat 17:20). Furthermore, in the book of James, a power piece of writing is summed up in one of the most recognizable five words in Christianity: “faith without works is dead.” To draw on the above example, to believe the power button with turn on the television, but never actually doing so is dead faith. I mean, what is the point of believing in something if one never acts on said belief?

Remember, faith is a natural reaction to a strong belief in something. Everyone has faith. Though faith has been strongly associated with metaphysical religion, everyone has faith in something. People go to work, voted for Obama, visit the doctor, and, yes, sit in chairs because they have faith in those things. What I want to do is challenge my Christian readers to consider this question. If a Christian believes that following Christ is the only way to heaven, then what will be the natural reaction? Will it be allowing a bible to gather dust? Will it be ignoring the pains of people both foreign and domestic? Will it be a complete refusal to ever talk to anyone, but your church friends about the awesomeness of Christ? These are question I still struggle with, but the challenge still remains. If I am going to call myself a Christian, how will I act out my faith?


Listen to the songs that inspired this blog below and help support those artist by purchasing their music at Amazon or Itunes.

"Faith that Works" by Json
"Walk by Faith" by Jeremy Camp

Church Leaders

Hebrews 13:7 - Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

When I first came to the Springfield International Church of Christ, the couple that was leading the church was Daren and Elke Turner. I was a knucklehead back then (something I still struggle with), and I never got a chance to properly build a relationship with that family before they moved to Tulsa Oklahoma. I was also not a member of the church, and I was jumping from one ministry to the next so fast that I was not giving anyone a chance to take my under wing. Flash-forward two years and I find myself a member of great church that loves me and supports my faith to the best of their ability. Even while I was struggling with my decision to join the church, I found myself seeking out the friendship and guidance of one Jeremy Jobe. Following a period of time of transition, Jeremy and his wife Cheryl were chosen to lead the church for the foreseeable future. As a result of the time I spent with the Jobe’s and after all I have seen them do in the church, I realize that as the leaders of my church, these two play an extremely important role. They not only have poured into me as a Christian, but also had responsibilities to the all the members of the church, not to mention visitors and do not forget that they are married with two adorable kids while each working a job. It is hard as a single college kid who lives by himself to understand the extent to which they struggle with who knows what, but I do know that as my leaders, they need my support and prayers.

As the leaders of the church, the Jobes pour so much out into all the members of the church. Often, church leaders are forgotten by the church members. Somehow, leaders of churches have been given giant Ss on their chest and people often just assume that they will be fine. To think this is both ignorant and dangerous. I can only speak about the Jobes, but I have seen them pour their hearts and lives out into several people, I have seen them watch members leave the faith, and I have seen them go through a struggle with the health of their own family. Though they are appointed as leaders of the Springfield Church, they are still mortal; fragile beings.

Once again, I am a college kid… what can I do to help my church leaders? First of all, constantly pray for them. Everyone needs to be prayed for, but understand that the church leaders have the biggest bull-eyes on them and Satan really wants to break them. Next, try to figure out ways to encourage them. Though they are leaders, they are still people. They will go through struggle and they do need friendship. Finally, tell them that they are appreciated. The reason for this may be different for each person, but I know that my church leaders absolutely give everything they can for the members of the church and they are worth me doing these three things.