Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 18, 2023: SOAP #4975: Isaiah 32-35; James 2

SCRIPTURE:  James (NIV) 2:21 Was not our ancestor 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. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

OBSERVATION:  We are saved by faith, by faith in the power of Jesus’ death on the cross.  Yet if our faith is not strong enough to cause us to do anything, then it is not strong enough to save us.  Our faith must be strong enough for us to confess our sins, confess that He is now Lord of our lives, and thank Him for His forgiveness.  It is like the movement of a child still in its mother’s womb—it is proof of life!  The baby does not stop moving when it is born!  Neither do we as we grow in our new life in Jesus! 

Faith is something inside that only God can see.  Actions/deeds are something that man can see.  Pulse, respiration, and heartbeat prove I am physically alive, deeds are the vital signs that prove my faith is alive.

James gave some specific deeds that were/are signs of faith, but the list of outward expressions of our faith would be too numerous to list. 

APPLICATION:  My deeds are a witness, strong or weak, of the Christ-life within. 

How will people today know I am a Christian?  Will they see or hear evidence of my faith?  Will it be difficult for them to recognize me as a Christian?  I should live my life in such a way that people can clearly see my faith. 

PRAYER:  Lord, may it be easy for others to see you working through me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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