Faith, Works, and Progressive Transformation

Faith must be paired with works. (James 2:14-26 KJV) Faith dies without disciplining yourself to absorb the Word. The Word is Life. (John 6:63; 14:6-11 KJV) It is sustenance, it is the very thing that transforms us by the renewing of the mind. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. We are to be not only hearers but also doers of the Word. (James 1:22-25 KJV) Hearing, seeking, reading, learning the Word must be then lived out in our lives to prove what is the acceptable and perfect will of God. This proving of His perfect will begins with the regular drinking of the Word (1 Peter 2:2 KJV) but also exercising our free will and self-control (Galatians 5:23 NIV) over the areas yet to have manifested sanctification, complete healing. We are called to die to self and live to Christ. (Galatians 2:19-21) This

takes the indwelling Spirit Who reveals those things that we must submit more fully in the Word. (Romans 8:14)

We often become overwhelmed by our own ‘fix it now’ priority list. Such things as smoking, being habitually late, eating better, exercising, saving more and spending less, and things that we consider ‘high priority’. However, His burden is light, and His yoke is easy. (Matthew 11:28-30) He has His thoughts, and His will that do not always fit into ‘our priorities’. (Isaiah 55:8-13) We stress and lose focus, become overwhelmed and burdened. This is not His Plan or His will, nor His way. He would not use the word burden with easy and light if this were not so. Take everything fresh, every morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23) Yesterday can no longer do anything to you it is over. (Isaiah 43:18-19; Philippians 3:13-14) Stop playing it over and over in your head. It is keeping you from being focused on the present and knowing that yesterday’s choice cannot be remade. This choice, it is this one right now. It is never too late to focus on God, really putting Him first in your choices, above your personal preference, above your discomfort, or someone/something else. (Matthew 6:33; Proverbs 3:6) Tomorrow is not even here, so again, we have only the present. (Proverbs 27; James 4:13-14) Take this moment, this day to be intentional to honor God. (1 Thessalonians 5:18; Colossians 3:17; Psalms 100:1-5) Yes, we will fall short.(Romans 3:23-26) The end results to God are not as important as the condition and focus of your heart.(1 Samuel 16:7; Proverbs 16; Jeremiah 17:10'; Hebrews 4:12)

The intentional concentrated focus on God and honoring Him really impacts daily choices. We must not neglect our intimate time with God, cultivating a relationship. Being open, real, intent, purposeful. Seeking Him first so that we have a deeper-rooted desire, motivation, well from which to draw our will to choose. Our will is in itself not nearly enough. (Zechariah 4:6-8; Romans 7) If it were so, we would not have a need for His strength or Christ’s sacrifice. It is justifiable that we are all give a measure of faith, (Romans 12:3-8) but for that to bloom into the strength and durability of a consistent and upright person, we must plant it back into the soil of Christ, from which our faith is derived. (Psalms 18; Psalms 46; Ephesians 3:14-21;

Hebrews 12:2) We do not always act out our beliefs as we all fall short. Yet if we are living according to our faith in Christ, we understand that perfection this side of heaven is unattainable, but excellence of character can be the result of our deepening relationship with Christ. (2 Peter 1:5-7; Psalms 34:15; Titus 2:11-12) This is the result of pairing faith in Christ and living out our faith in our daily lives. It is also not going to happen overnight but as a progressive transformation that continues to develop as your faith continues to deepen.(Romans 12:2-3; 2 Corinthians 3:16-18)(Numbers 30:2; Ecclesiastes 5:5; James 1:22-25)