Topic: THE ACT OF FAITH – Bishop Mike Okonkwo Devotional 8 April 2021 [The Redeemed Evangelical Mission]

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THE ACT OF FAITH

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” 

James 2:26 (KJV)

From the above text, when the Bible talks about “works,” what exactly does it mean? I am going to let the scripture interpret itself for you so that you can be clear and delivered once and for all from every bondage of misconception. Let’s look at book of James 2:21 KJV: “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?” Was Isaac actually offered on the altar? No, but God saw Abraham’s act of faith as the sacrifice.

 
So what work did Abraham do? He believed God. In spite of the extreme instruction, he was ready to do it. The work is to believe God unconditionally. Don’t just have a mental assent to faith. Don’t just nod in agreement while thinking of option B. Follow God fully: hook, line, sinker, boat, water and even the stones under the water. Let the Word of God be the final authority in your life. Believe God and be ready to obey, no matter what the circumstances look like. Know assuredly that faithful is He who has promised, who will also do it.

One area where I have noticed we find it difficult to believe God is in the area of timing. We have our own timetable when we think certain things ought to have happened in our lives. Remember that one day with the Lord is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is but like a day in His sight. This means that God is not controlled by time. He does not live in time. You are the one that lives in time. So certain things can only happen at His own appointed time. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says “He has made everything beautiful in its time…” (NKJV).

I declare over you that your time has come. A new day is about to break for you. The tears of yesterday will all be forgotten. God will cause you to laugh and they that hear your testimony will laugh with you.

Further Reading:  Romans 4:17-25; James 2:20-26

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- 1 Samuel 13-14; Evening- Luke 10:1-24