Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Thursday, July 6, 2017

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-07-06-2017

This is devotional thought number 14 in our devotional series, “Essentials of Faith.” Our subject is “The Sinner’s (My) Need for Christ.”

Here’s the question for consideration: Is it enough if I “just” believe that God is powerful?

“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” (James 2:19–24).

Well, congratulations! You believe in God. Do you recognize His awesome power and realize you are no match for Him? Well done. Now what?

Oftentimes people get this whole faith and belief thing twisted. Some think that if they know, without doubt, that Almighty God exists, that He created all things, that He forgives sins, and is merciful, they’re good-to-go. But sadly, simply having an assent to incontrovertible fact is no better than “knowing” that breathable air is non-existent, it’s extremely cold at 128,000 feet, and the law of gravity is real. If one does not apply that knowledge aright, that one just might have a problem (understatement of the year) if he or she is planning a supersonic skydive from the edge of space without the right equipment and a parachute. Extreme? Let’s see.

If I only agree about all the facts concerning God, but never submit my will to Him, to fashion me after the character of His dear Son, I am on a supersonic freefall to eternal death. At least the person in my example just dies the earthly death. But sinners who underestimate the effects of sin and do not yield to the Holy Spirit, look forward to the death from which nobody recovers—eternity without God.

Now, hear this: we can all choose to surrender our will to God right now, and at this moment. We can all accept the fact that we are sinners who need the Savior. We can all exchange our terrible sin habits, tendencies, thoughts, and intentions for the mindset of Christ, which He stands ready to give. Yes, it will be a daily battle, but spiritual battles are won each and every time we place our trust in God.

To merely believe about God is nothing more than the devils do, but to be transformed by Him is a miracle of grace that ensures our position in Christ’s kingdom.—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)