Young People's Group

THE PRACTICE OF FAITH

by Pastor Mitch
June 26, 2005

The Danger Of Separating Faith And Practice

It is a common danger among Christians to separate their faith from real life. They claim that they have faith in the Lord and yet they do not practise it in their everyday life. This anomaly shows the lack of sincerity and the shallowness of their belief. Without a fruitful life, they may have been deceived into thinking that they are saved but in reality, they are not.

“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
James 2:17

There is a grave danger when we separate faith from practice. This is actually “dead” faith.

Sowing Good And Righteous Character Into Our Lives

The Apostle Peter also sought to encourage the brethren to practise their faith. He challenged them to sow good character into their lives.

1. Ceasing From Speaking Things That Are Evil

“Let him refrain his tongue from evil,
And his lips from speaking deceit.
Let him turn away from evil…”
1 Peter 3:10-11

We need to stop ourselves from saying wrong and evil things against others. It is so easy to promote lies rather than the truth. We must also prune ourselves from saying bad words too. Let’s seek to have good character by putting away all which is evil, especially in the things that we say to each other.

2. Cultivating The Right Kind Of Regard For Each Other

“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tender-hearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil…”
1 Peter 3:8-9

Peter encouraged the Christian brethren to be like-minded in the way they related to each other. There must be a lot more love and care for one another. When we have a bond of brotherhood, we should have a greater sense of tenderness and self-control towards each other. Let us be challenged to sow righteous character into our lives through the practice of faith.

Reaping Special Blessings From The Lord

Whatever we may sow, we will reap. When we sow good character, we will reap God’s rich blessings. There will come the blessing of a good life.

“He who would love life
And see good days”
1 Peter 3:10

The Lord’s eyes will be upon us and He will always hear our prayers.

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their prayers;
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
1 Peter 3:12

There is the assurance of rich blessings from God. The Lord will bless the righteous, but He will judge the evil. Let’s be motivated to cease from evil and pursue righteousness. Let’s be encouraged to stir up our faith through the cultivation of good character.

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