You’ve probably heard the sermon illustration about faith where the preacher talks about the difference between saying you believe that a chair will hold your weight and proving this by actually sitting in the chair. We were talking about this illustration at our Life Group in relation to James 2:18 and the relationship between faith and deeds.
One person observed that in fact, we rarely if ever pause to think about it. We don’t go through a conscious mental calculation about whether or not we trust the chair. This becomes more obvious when we think about other things from standing up on the ground through to pouring a drink. WE instinctively and habitually know that we can trust the ground to hold our weight and the drink to refresh and nourish us without poisoning us. We do those things as naturally as we breathe the air around us. And, under normal circumstances, we definitely don’t pause to decide whether or not we trust the air.
This may help us to think further about what faith is. First of all remember that faith isn’t an abstract concept but is specifically about our trust in Jesus. Secondly, Ephesians 2:8 describes faith itself as a gift from God. It’s something we receive from him and it is tied very closely into us receiving new life. Just as God breathed life into Adam and Eve’s lungs, so, he breathes new life through the Holy Spirit into us.
So, faith in action should be as natural and instinctive as breathing and as all of the things that we normally do that are part and parcel of living. New living is about showing compassion for those in need, saying no to sin, sharing the good news etc. Living out our trust in Jesus should be as normal as breathing the air in and out.
Faithroots 