“You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless.” (James 2:19-20 NLT)

Different kinds of believing

The Bible says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31). Yes, this is certainly true, but there are different kinds (and levels) of believing. For instance, you can believe that God exists, but this isn’t enough to receive salvation. The above passage tells us that demons believe this fact, yet they tremble in terror. Believing with faith is more than just intellectual knowledge, it’s something you do.

Active, not passive, belief

“Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.”

• Declare with your mouth and believe in your heart

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Rom. 10:9 NIV)  

• Good deeds follow believing 

In the passage at top, action is expressed by good deeds that follow one’s believing. “…faith without good deeds is useless.” (James 2:20). 

• Changed heart with actions

“…Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount. Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house…” (Luke 19:8-9 NIV)

Warning: This doesn’t mean we can earn our salvation

Our belief and commitment to Jesus is reflected in the things we do. Our good deeds are evidence of our real and trusting faith.

 “For it is by grace [we] have been saved, through faith . . . not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).

Therefore…

“Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love” (1 Cor. 16:13-14 NLT).

Quote:

“Faith is something you do. It’s active, not passive. Real faith involves making a commitment to trust in Jesus.”– Rick Warren

”Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” (James 1:2 NLT)

Reacting positively to troubles

 You cannot escape troubles (problems and difficulties).Jesus said, “In this world  you will have trouble.” But how you react is what’s important.You May not be able to control when negative things happen to you, but you can control your response, positively or negatively. The choice is entirely yours.The passage at top says to consider your troubles to be an “opportunity for great joy”. Unfortunately, most people do not see their troubles as opportunities for great joy, but rather, react negatively to them. Many successful people see problem solving as a critical ingredient to growth and success. Problem solving is the act of defining a problem; determining the cause of the problem; identifying, prioritizing, and selecting alternatives for a solution; and implementing a solution. Wise people face their troubles and problems straight on and actively work to find positive solutions.Therefore, they learn, grow, improve and move head through the process. 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:3 NIV)

See things from God’s perspective 

“Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:17-18 NIV)

Therefore…

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.” (Psalm 50:15)

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.” (Psalm 107:103 ESV)

“Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight.” (Psalm 119:143 ESV)

“The righteous cry, and the Lord hears And delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:17-19)

 Quotes:

“We must never despair; our situation has been compromising before, and it has changed for the better; so I trust it will again. If difficulties arise, we must put forth new exertion and proportion our efforts to the exigencies of the times.” - George Washington

“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.” - Charles R. Swindoll

What are you expecting from the Lord?

“And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.” (Acts 3:5 ESV)

Expect rewards from the Lord

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Heb. 11:6 ESV)

“The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.” (Prov. 11:18 ESV) 

Expect a future and a hope from the Lord

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer. 29:11 ESV)

Expect goodness, protection and blessing from the Lord

“...How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world...”
(Psalm 31:19, NLT)

Expect an inheritance from the Lord

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Col. 3:23-24 ESV)

Expect to receive crowns from the Lord 

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12 ESV)

“And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” (1 Peter 5:4 ESV)

Therefore…

“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.” (Psalm 62:5 ESV)

Quote:

“Positive expectations are the mark of the superior personality.” - Brian Tracy,

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (2 Tim 3:1-5 ESV) 

Like the days of Noah 

“For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matt. 24:37 ESV)

Lawlessness will be increased 

“And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” (Matt. 24:12 ESV)

False prophets will lead many astray

“And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.” (Matt. 24:11 ESV)

Scoffers will follow sinful desires 

“Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.” (2 Peter 3:3-7 ESV)

People will not endure sound teaching

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” (2 Tim. 4:3-4 ESV)

Some will depart from the faith

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons…” (1 Tim. 4:1 ESV)

The gospel will be proclaimed throughout the world  

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matt. 24:14 ESV)

Only God knows the day and hour of His return 

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” (Matt. 24:36 ESV)

Therefore…

“But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28)

“So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates.” (Matt. 24:33 ESV)

“Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matt. 24:44 ESV)

“The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30 ESV)

Quotes:

“What the situation will be like in the world before the Lord returns, namely, Christ will be despised, and the preachers of the Gospel will be regarded as fools.” – Martin Luther

“Precisely because we cannot predict the moment, we must be ready at all moments.” – C.S. Lewis

“When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.” (Prov. 28:12 ESV)

God always leads us in triumph in Christ 

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.” (2 Cor. 2:14 NASV)

In triumph he disarms rulers and authorities 

“He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” (Col. 2:15 ESV)

Therefore…

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 15:57 ESV)

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Eph. 6:13 NIV)

Quote:

“The reason why many fail in battle is because they wait until the hour of battle. The reason why others succeed is because they have gained their victory on their knees long before the battle came. Anticipate your battles; fight them on your knees before temptation comes, and you will always have victory.” - R.A. Torrey

“But they, our fathers, acted arrogantly; They became stubborn and would not listen to Your commandments.” (Nehem. 9:16 ESV)

I heard a spoke-person say he was “stubborn about quality” and by that he meant that his product was great. Usually, the word “stubborn” is used as a negative description, like when it was used in an ad about a special cleaner claimings to remove “stubborn stains”. “Stubborn” has two meanings, one negative and one positive. It’s important to know the difference. You can be mulish (stiff-necked) against God or you can be resolute (unbending, steadfast) concerning truth and righteousness. 

Are you acting mulish or being resolute?

1)   MULISH: unreasonably or perversely unyielding as in bullheaded, obstinate, self-willed or stiff-necked.

2)    RESOLUTE: justifiably unyielding, unwavering, tenacious, unbending, steadfast, not giving up, remain uncompromising in course or purpose. 

Examples of MULISH

“He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.” (Prov. 29:1 ESV)

“But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels.” (Psalms 81:11-12 ESV)

“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.” (Acts 7:51 ESV)

“But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear. They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the Lord of hosts.” (Zech. 7:11-12 ESV)

Examples of RESOLUTE 

“Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord.” (Acts 11:23 NASB)

“Your Majesty, we don’t need to defend ourselves.  The God we worship can save us from you and your flaming furnace.  But even if he doesn’t, we still won’t worship your gods and the gold statue you have set up.” (Dan. 3:16-18  CEV)

Therefore…

“Create for me a pure heart, O God! Renew a resolute spirit within me!” (Psalm 51:10 NET)

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58

Quotes:

“Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” - Harriet Beecher Stowe

“Perseverance is more than endurance. It is endurance combined with absolute assurance and certainty that what we are looking for is going to happen. - Oswald Chambers

“Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.” (Psalm 195:4 NIV)

What it means to seek God’s face 

Many times in Scripture, God’s people are encouraged to seek the face of God. The Hebrew word for “face” in the Old Testament is often translated “presence.” Therefore, when you seek the face of God, you are seeking His presence.

God said to seek His face

“You have said, ‘Seek my face.’ My heart says to you, ‘Your face, Lord, do I seek.’” (Psalm 27:8 ESV)

Humble yourself and seek God’s face

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14)

Therefore…

“Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.” (Psalm 105:2-4)

“Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God their Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.” (Psalm 24:3-6)” 

Quote:

“I want the presence of God Himself, or I don't want anything at all to do with religion... I want all that God has or I don't want any.”  - Aiden Wilson Tozer

“By canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” (Col. 2:14 ESV)

Jesus humbled Himself on the cross 

“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Phil. 2:8 ESV)

 Jesus reconciled all things by His blood on the cross 

“And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Col. 1:20 ESV)

Look to Jesus who endured the cross for you 

“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:2 ESV)

The word of the cross is the power of God to those being saved

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Cor. 1:18 ESV)

Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Jesus

“And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34 ESV)

“Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:27 ESV)

 “And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” (Matt. 10:38 ESV)

 Therefore…

 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Gal. 2:29 ESV)

 “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Gal. 6:14 ESV)

 Quotes:

“God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, "I love you."- Billy Graham 

“It was Christ who willingly went to the cross, and it was our sins that took him there.” - Franklin Graham

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 15:4-5 ESV)

Suffering produces endurance 

 “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…” (Rom. 5:3-4 ESV)

Remain steadfast under trial and you will be blessed

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12 ESV)

You need endurance

 “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” (Heb. 1o:36 ESV)

Therefore…

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” (Heb. 12:1-3 ESV)

“May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy…” (Col. 1:11 ESV)

“…being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience…” (Col. 1:11 NIV)

Quote:

“If God sends us on strong paths, we are provided strong shoes.” - Corrie ten Boom