Can you really be a person of faith if you have no deeds to show for it? That’s the question I asked during last night’s sermon at the 703 young adult service, as I preached from James 2:14-26. While I think it’s true that right doctrine without deeds isn’t much use, I would never denigrate right doctrine, and I very much believe it’s crucial to believe correctly. “Study to show yourself approved,” Paul says to Timothy. “Watch your doctrine closely,” he tells him another place. In other words, “Get your beliefs right.”
In fact, the Columbus Ohio Vineyard, one of our sister churches, have their new members state: “I confess my affirmation of the Apostle’s, Nicene and Chalcedonian Creeds, which I believe to reflect Christian orthodoxy and the clear teaching of the Holy Scripture.” Indeed, you have to believe the right things, and I’m confident that the Vineyard aligns with historical Christian orthodoxy.
But it obviously makes no sense to constantly talk about faith if you have no actions to back it up. If you’re going to talk the talk of faith, you have to walk the walk. That’s why the message of James 1:27 is so vital: “Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us.” Right action suddenly trumps right belief.
So listen for the Holy Spirit’s prompting this week, friends. If He says to do something, say YES. Now God certainly respects you and you can say no when he prompts you to act. But if you want to be a person of faith, you have to say YES. So be listening for the prompting of the Holy Spirit and keep discovering that faith and works are in fact inseparable.
donfollis.com 
That's one of my favorite quotes, Lieb (St. Francis' quote)!Here's an example of preaching through your life from one of my non-Christian heros (I have a few):"A family living in Gandhi’s community came to him and asked him to speak with their child who was having health problems because of his sugar addiction. The child was so addicted that when he couldn’t obtain prepared desserts he would resort to simply eating sugar by the spoonfuls. Although his parents forbade the child from sugar, they themselves continued to eat it and kept sweets in their home that he could easily sneak into when nobody was watching. Gandhi responded to the situation by asking the family to bring the boy back to him in eighteen days. So the family returned to their home and battled unsuccessfully with their child for nearly three weeks. When they finally brought him to Gandhi again, he whispered briefly into the boy’s ear and sent him on his way. The child never ate forbidden sweets again. When his bewildered parents asked what Gandhi had said to the child that could so miraculously turn him around, Gandhi explained that he had requested they bring the child back in eighteen days so he could have time to give up sweets himself. He told the child he would not eat sweets again until the health crisis was over and asked him to stop abusing sugar so he could enjoy sweets again as soon as possible."
LikeLike
Yeah.. that's always the problem isn't it? While i continue to cry out for greater revelation, i know i haven't been 100% faithful with what i have today.St. Francis of Assisi once reportedly said, "Preach the gospel always. If necessary, use words."
LikeLike
I do believe right actions speak volumes for christians. I have no doubt that there will be an opportunity(s) for me act and do faithful acts this we. In addition I have hope that I will listen to the holy spirt through my heart and guide my actions.
LikeLike