Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer

December 15: James 1-5

Scripture: James (NIV) 1:21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. … 24 You see that people are justified by what they do and not by faith alone. … 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Observation: If love does not motivate one to do something, that love is dead. One should be able to see evidence of true love. I learned a short poem as a young person: “A bell’s not a bell ‘till you ring it; A song’s not a song ‘till you sing it; Love in your heart wasn’t put there to stay; Love isn’t love ‘till you give it away!” (O Hammerstein II) Faith is quite similar to love. If faith does not have some expression, then it too is dead.

Application: From Romans 10:9-10 the first work of faith is to speak the truth I believe in my heart. Obviously that is only the first of many expressions of faith. My life is to be lived as an expression of my faith. As my faith grows, so the expressions of my faith grow.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may my faith be seen by others and bring you joy. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!