READY
SET
For the first part of my childhood I grew up in a Christian home. I thought I had it all figured out until I read James 2:14-17. As a skateboarder, I didn’t want to be someone who wore the Vans shoes and Thrasher shirt, but didn’t actually ride a skateboard. These are called posers. They wear the attire, but don’t actually skate. I knew how important it was to not be a poser, so I tried new things and pushed myself to skate every day. I believed I could land the next trick and ollie more stairs and it caused me to move. That is what faith is.
Faith isn’t a belief that we just know in our heads; it moves us. It is confidence that causes us to act. We are so sure of the fact that Jesus died to save us and rose from the dead to give us new life that we have to act on it. I had gone to church, memorized the verses and knew the right answers in Sunday school, but had it moved me to act? Has it moved me to live differently? If I really believed that I could land a 360-degree flip or clear the 40-foot snowboard jump, I knew I had to drop in and try it. In the same way, my belief in Jesus should move me to action. My faith should create movement. The fact that Jesus died for me and rose to life so I can live forever should move me to act! It isn’t that I am saved by my actions; as Paul says, we are saved by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-10). However, faith without action is dead. It is worthless.
GO
Have there been ways as a Christian competitor that you have been posing? How have you come to live out James 2:14-17?
What are some examples in your sport and life that faith has moved you to take action?
What can you do today to take action and demonstrate your faith in Jesus?
WORKOUT
OVERTIME
God, thank you for this day. Thank you that you have died for me. I am sorry that I haven’t always taken action in my faith. I ask that you would fill me with your Spirit and move me to take action in my faith. Help me to see opportunities and not just think about the right thing to do, but actually do it. Amen!