MANIFEST BELIEFS

In his powerful statement, James declared, "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:17).

This isn't just ancient scripture; it's a potent challenge for today. It brings faith out of mere belief and into the real world – where the rubber meets the road. Think of it this way: if our faith lacks a visible demonstration, does it truly possess life? What we genuinely believe should inevitably motivate our actions. If, however, our actions fail to reflect those stated beliefs, we must honestly question the depth and authenticity of that faith. How many who profess Christianity are genuinely living out the teachings they claim to hold dear? There must be tangible evidence supporting our claims of faith. Otherwise, what we consider belief is reduced to a mere opinion, a hollow sentiment. Jesus himself pointed to the undeniable connection between faith and action, stating, "By their fruits you will recognize them" (Matthew 7:16). This reinforces the irrefutable truth: real faith should be actively producing real, demonstrable results. Let's move beyond passive acceptance and embrace a faith that lives and breathes through our actions, bearing witness to the truths we profess.

I learned a profound lesson during a trip to China about two years ago. It was a lesson born from failure, but one that has significantly shaped my approach to sharing my faith. I spent two hours meticulously presenting Scriptural proof texts, logical arguments, and detailed explanations about the Deity of Christ to a group of Chinese pastors. I felt confident in my presentation, drawing from my experience teaching in the U.S. However, the engagement was minimal. During a break, my interpreter and my two missionary friends gently but firmly pointed out that my approach was failing miserably. Panic set in. I knew they were right. I struggled to understand why these believers weren't connecting with what I considered irrefutable truth. After fervent prayer, the reason became clear: I was teaching from a Western mindset. I was relying heavily on logic and reasoning, appealing primarily to the intellect rather than the heart. An intellectual equation attempting to define a relationship with Christ simply didn't resonate with them. I realized the Eastern mind doesn't compartmentalize faith into a separate, rational sphere. Instead, they act upon their beliefs, integrating faith into every facet of their lives. We must manifest our faith too make it our belief. They could not get their head or more importantly, their heart around concepts that didn’t include action.

A significant challenge we face in the West is the disconnect between what we profess to believe in and how we live. We can declare our faith in Christ yet consistently make choices that contradict those very beliefs in our daily lives. This disconnect is often perplexing to those with an Eastern mindset. We've cultivated a dangerous separation, isolating beliefs from the actions they should inspire. We live in contradiction to our proclaimed faith and still convince ourselves that we genuinely believe. But are we truly believing if our actions don't reflect those beliefs? James, in his epistle, would argue vehemently against this. He would assert that belief, without tangible manifestation in our actions, is lifeless and ultimately empty. We need to confront this for what it is: much of what American Christians consider "faith" is mere opinion. And because they are merely opinions, these sentiments fail to dictate the direction of our lives. Opinion, rooted in reason, often lacks the decisive force needed to translate into action. There is a critical and profound difference between holding an opinion and possessing genuine, Biblical Faith. Let us strive to bridge this gap and ensure that our lives reflect the transformative power of the beliefs we claim to hold dear.

  I realized that instead of simply discussing the deity of Christ, I wanted to demonstrate it. We believe Jesus is God, so we prayed for healing and ministry, trusting that He would prove it. And He did! We had a glorious interaction with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Jesus met the needs of those present tangibly and undeniably

. Now, don't misunderstand me. Sound doctrine and reasoned arguments are essential for defending our faith. But we must be fully persuaded that God will do what He has promised. We can't just have an intellectual understanding, a mere opinion of God. Our doctrine must be demonstrated in our lives, or it's simply dead, no different than the fleeting opinions of the world. As Romans 4:21 says, we must be fully convinced that God will do what He says He will do. We cannot live a victorious Christian life on opinions; it must be lived as truth. Our beliefs must be manifested in our actions. Let's not just talk about God's power; let's experience it. Let our faith be a living, breathing reality, evident and bearing fruit in everything we do.