Some Assembly Requiredનમૂનો

Yesterday we learned about the purpose of faith and the power of faith. Today we come to the practical requirements of faith.

The Practical Requirements of Faith

James 2:26 says this, “For just as the [human] body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works [of obedience] is also dead.” [AMP]

When God said to Noah, “I’m going to destroy all of them…except for you,” a plan went into motion that required Noah to believe, and then to act.

Some Assembly Required.

How do you build a boat when you’ve never built a boat?

You lean into the One who gave you the directive to do it. And you listen for His instructions.

Here’s what I’m driving toward today, because there is something immeasurably powerful about intentional discipleship of your family--especially within the confines of your own home. Be reminded: Noah was not charged by God in this instance to have faith to save the world. No, he was charged by God to have faith, and to build a boat, to save his family. Why? The world was corrupt all around him. And Noah, as the head of his home, was to hear from God, acknowledge the dire need of salvation and safety on behalf of his family, and go to action to build a boat of safety.

The power of faith is the motivation to act in obedience, regardless of the culture about us.

So here is where we come to the PRACTICAL REQUIREMENT of faith.

Faith without works is…DEAD. Worthless. Lifeless. Deadly. And while we look around us and think, “Well, God isn’t going to destroy the world again by flood. He promised that He wouldn’t do that”, you and I must come to terms with the fact that the world WILL indeed be destroyed, one final time, and the gravity is this: your children—my children—will either be prepared for that destruction and will escape it, or they will perish.

Your job as the priest of your home is to build the boat of safety.

In Noah’s situation, the boat was literal. He had to listen to very explicit instructions from God on what type of wood to use, what the dimensions should be, how to seal the boat, all the things. But for you and me, the boat is less literal, but comparably urgent. The explicit instructions are both tangible and intangible. Tangible in that action must be taken, and intangible, in that prayers must be prayed.

The Practical Requirement of faith is the actual act of obedience. So, let's get into the nuts and bolts in tomorrow's reading.

Dig a Little Deeper

What prayers are you praying for each individual in your family's "boat"? Take a few moments right now to pray over each one, listing them by name and praying specifically for their strengths and weaknesses. Then, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal your own strengths and weaknesses and how He'd like for you to more proactively lead yourself more effectively as you seek to lead your family.