Monday, October 24, 2011

What Do You Believe?

This question to some of us is answered very easily.  You may be a good communicator, you have the ability to put your thoughts together and articulate what you believe.  The words that you say appear to be genuine and heart felt.  Why would I have any reason not to believe you?

Let me ask this question, if I were to ask someone you work with or someone that knows you personal the same question about you, would they come up with the same answers.  Does what you believe come out through what you do?  There are many of us that can talk a big talk, can present an argument or defend a certain truth statement but the evidence of our lives are weak at best. 

In the day we live we are so influenced by what people say.  We are so quick to follow a word, a well thought out dissertation or a carefully prepared presentation.  The Internet has opened the door for people to express thoughts, opinions, beliefs.  Without any knowledge of that individuals personal lifestyle or behavior their band wagon is full of eager followers.  The question you must ask yourself or at least take pause long enough to think about is, does it matter if what a person says has no impact on what a person does? 

There's a book in the Bible that addresses this issue very clearly, the half brother of Jesus presents a clear argument for why it should matter.  In this book James argues that faith without works is dead, saying if you believe something with out the supporting evidence of a changed life is not believing at all.  In James 2:19, even the demons believe. 

Are you tired of being tossed to and fro by every slick tongue on the web, if you're ears are itching be careful where you turned to get them scratched.  The answer to this is get linked up with the church, be part of a community of believes that express what they believe by the way they live.  The church is God's people who are called, equipped and sent.  Find a church that you can build relationships with.  Be around people that live what they believe.