Got Faith? By: Brandi J. Ray
Got Faith?
By: Brandi J. Ray
I like to tread lightly when announcing my Christianity.
Not for fear but because of the weight and responsibility. Christianity comes
with responsibility whether or not we or I always live up to
the expectations. The world will always come for you, and sometimes, I send for
it – whether intentionally or unintentionally. It's not people that I fear
disappointing – it's myself and my relationship with God. I desire to seek Him
and to live in Him wholeheartedly. But, boy, can I be more human than of God – most of
the time.
As always, in transparency, I've been going through a
season. And in this season, I haven't mirrored God or His ways much. I've
called on Him, prayed to Him, told other people about Him, or even my position
in Him. But, that human in me? Whew, chile – the ghetto! And
at this point, it's just flat out stubbornness – a hardened of heart. I mean,
if I know the word, know what God
requires of me, and know that trials come to perfect my
spiritual maturity – why am I tempted to pursue my own downfall
instead? Why am I refusing to just let God develop me?
I'll readily tell you why. Sometimes, people need a good
cursing out and a slap in the doggone face. Me, I'm some
people. No matter what "offenses" have offended me, I am also
somebody's offender. I'm not spotless nor blameless. The same grace I pray for
God to show me is the same grace He requires me to
distribute back. Like Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 tells us, we shouldn't take to heart
the faults or flaws of others because we commit them too. That simple.
When we look at my top 2, and it isn't always my number
two favorite scripture – James 1:3 tells the church to consider it pure joy
whenever we face trials of many kinds, because the testing of the faith
produces perseverance. We aren't to cheat this endurance because it won't cheat
us. Instead, it will make us spiritually mature and complete. That two-lined
verse is quite compelling actually. It determines that trials will come, and
they will test our faith.
But, most importantly, the goal of this test is to spiritually mature us – it
is to perfect us. And in the midst of this – well, we are supposed to be happy
about it. Huh? Yup. Happy.
In Hebrews 11:1, Paul defines faith as "the
assurance of the things we hope for, being the proof of things we do not see
and the conviction of their reality." Faith is our sixth sense – it
operates entirely in our spiritual selves. Faith is the assurance, the
confirmation, and the conviction. Thus, faith clearly begins in mind and
thought. In James 2, we see James, brother of Jesus, contend this same idea
differently. Whereas Paul spoke of faith as the trust, assurance, and
confirmation that God is real to us - James argued that said faith needed to be
proven by us. And in some sense, the arguments seem contradictory to the other.
You see, in his teachings, Paul makes evident that
there's nothing we can do to merit or gain grace by God. Jesus' death already
paid for our grace, and all we needed to do was believe (have faith) in
that. But, Paul was speaking to a group of new believers. He was explaining the
foundational truth of Christianity – Jesus paid it all in full when He died on
the cross. In return, His death made us at peace with God – we are no longer
wrestling or are in bad standing with God. We're good. Thus, the
ritualistic Jewish practices that the converts were still practicing weren't
necessary. None of these actions were going to gain us favor with God – we
don't need to Bible tote, gospel sing, show up to church as a ploy to
win God over. That was taken care of.
However, in James 2, when James said, "Faith without
works was dead," he expressed the demonstration of faith.
James was specifically talking to believers that had already accepted Christ as
their Lord and Savior. He was talking to people like us – those who have claimed the
faith. We know the foundational truth of God – now it is time to live its
truth. James' declaration that we aren't saved by faith aligns directly with
Paul's fundamental faith teachings. James declaration that we aren't
saved by faith but for faith is the
expansion that we have work to do. James' primary focus when discussing faith
and the nature of obedience was distinguishing the requirement of, or position
as, Christians. In particular, James tells us that even the demons know and
have a fear of God. There's no argument from the demons that even God exists.
They, too, have faith – the assurance, the conviction and, the confirmation.
However, they do not have works. The demons do not have evidence that this
faith is actualized and adequately embodied. What will distinguish us from our
claims? What will prove our faith?
A doggone
trial.
Do you now see why I tread lightly
when I speak about my Christianity? You know, I have fully accepted Paul's
declaration of faith. I wholeheartedly believe that Jesus is the son of God,
that died on the cross and that we have been made new and right with God. I
have peace with Him – there's no beef, no rebellion, and no conflict between
us. We are good. But, if Jesus put on my flesh
and thought from my heart and mind – no one would recognize Him. No one would
be able to see Him in me – because in this season I've been in, I have done a
terrible job at embodying my faith. I have been partial with my grace towards
others (James 2:2), made some sins acceptable in my sight (James 2:10),
overlooked the Jesus in others (James 2:3), and most certainly, haven't
demonstrated a love that God shows me (James 2:8). My faith has been nothing
but a mere claim (James 2:4).
Hence, why God has every right to test me, remind me,
instruct me, and blatantly call me out. God wants to mature my faith and put it
right into practice. Let's develop those claims, Bran.
Back in James 1, James tells us that it is vital to seek
God, ask for wisdom, and execute our faith as we face trials. To seek,
question, and then not practice this faith is reflected as a double-minded man,
tossed by the wind. You see, when we are thrown by the wind – we take trials
and create temptations instead. It's no secret that the devil and God can work at
the same time. As we know with Job, God can grant the devil permission to test
you – to put you on trial. But, when we lean towards Satan instead of God, we
make way for evil (the temptation). The trial is to do the total opposite – it
is supposed to force us to mirror that Christlikeness – to be of good works.
Both Paul and James use examples when speaking to their
respective audiences. The preachers understood the reverence the Jewish people
had of Abraham and their knowledge of Old Testament stories. They relied on
this familiarity to construct the foundation of our faith: A faith that accepts
the fundamental truth of Christ and a faith that puts into action and grows our
foundation.
Widely known as the "Faith: Hall of Fame,"
Hebrews 11 brings a snapshot to the forefront of what it means to have faith.
Abel worshipped God as God instructed and was ultimately envied and killed.
Enoch challenged members of his bloodline by being righteous and was transferred to
Heaven because he pleased God. Noah demonstrated godly fear
by building an ark when there was no sign or proof of rain, even as people
considered him crazy. Sarah considered God and His promises to her and was
impregnated at old age despite her barrenness assumption. Rahab, a prostitute,
was a spy that aided in the fall of Jericho. Moses suffered with his
people and shunned the lusts of the culture that he was raised. But, amongst
other stories and characters mentioned, Abraham obeyed God.
Abraham showed no fear or worried about where God directed him to go. These
well-known characters' actions relied on faith – the assurance, the
confirmation, and the conviction that God is real and that He is trustworthy.
James expands on Paul's foundation in Chapter 2 and hones
in on Abraham and Rahab's obedience (the practicality of faith). Abraham's
faith was accompanied and married to his obedience. Not only did Abraham go
where God leads him, but even when the test of Abraham's faith seemed
contradictory to God's promise to Him – Abraham actualized his faith and put
his belief into action. Abraham placed his son on the altar and was willing to
make the sacrifice. His obedience rewarded him. God intervened, and Isaac,
Abraham's son, life was spared. Isaac, also mentioned in Hebrews 11, would
carry on to birth a legacy of people that also make it into the "Faith:
Hall of Fame."
As James states, in Chapter 1, verse 12, the one who
perseveres under trial is blessed and will receive the crown of life that the
Lord has promised to those who love Him. We can know that God's words are
evidenced by people like Abel, Enoch, and Abraham. In verses 13-15, James
confirms that to give in to temptation – we become enticed by our sinful ways,
giving birth to death. This death is not necessarily physical, but as described
in James 2:26 – faith without works is dead. We become spiritually dead when we
lose our case at trial: when our faith is just a claim but not at work.
It's easy to make peace with the downfall – to let Satan
tempt us into those sinful, fleshly desires. Development, through trial,
requires us to sacrifice ourselves on the altar. It means that we kill our
flesh – immorality, impurity, idolatry, discord, jealousy, rage, selfish
ambition, dissension, drunkenness, and envy (Galatians 5:19-21). While it also
challenges and tests us to bear the fruit of the spirit – love, joy, peace,
forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control
(Galatians 5:22-23).
Tonight, I pray that you let go. I pray that you bestow
the same mercy and grace that we are promised through Paul's assertion of
faith. I pray that you practice this faith as declared and instructed by James.
While Paul's foundation of faith was the expression of our entrance and
invitation into God's kingdom, James' practicality of faith is the expression
of what it means to live right in God's kingdom. Let's let our faith be more
than a claim – and mature ourselves by being obedient to the call.
Be kind
to yourself,
Mrs.
Brandi J. Ray
P.S.
Y'all better hold me accountable too in this season!
Facebook:
Brandi Janay Ray
Instagram:
@ThatsMrsRay2You
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