The Evidence of Faith

       Talking about the current political situation in the Philippines, one can say the REAL and GENUINE kind of leadership is yet to be found. Because of the wailing staccato blasts of controversies every now and then, the Filipinos are still looking for these REAL people who will serve the government especially now that the 2010 National Elections is fast approaching.  The issue of Genuineness of a thing cannot be easily determined. It would take time and more often than not, the lack of evidence makes it approach the impossiblilty. Like the truth behind the controversies and issues arising in the political arena, a professed genuine faith also needs an evidence.
    The book of James tells us what to look for in a genuine faith. However, a lot of controversies arise regarding the authenticity and credibility of this book. The major issue here is the relationship of FAITH and WORK.

 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

       -James 2:17

 14 What [doth it] profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be [ye] warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what [doth it] profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent [them] out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

-James 2:14-26

    To exhort from the scriptures, James teaches us three (3) kinds of faith:

     DEAD FAITH. It is clearly stated in verse 17 that those who claim to have a faith but do not do anything about it is dead. It simply means that this kind of faith doesn’t walk the talk. The faith is resides only in one’s intellect. By this, it means this faith is theoretical. 

  DEMONIC FAITH.  One might ask, is there such thing as demonic faith? Do the demons have faith? The answer to both questions is Yes.There is a demonic faith and the demons have faith. In verse 19 it says there that the demons tremble upon hearing about God. They tremble because they believe in God’s existence. But it ends there. Demonic faith resides in the intellect and emotions. This faith is like a seed which is incapable of growing. Demonic faith is sterile

    DYNAMIC FAITH.   Every believer and follower of Christ must possess this faith. It is this kind which is always backed up by actions. It is the faith that moves and captures one’s whole being. It affects one’s will and acknowledges the grace to act. (verses 23-24). Take for example two people in the bible who were acknowledged to have this kind of faith: Abrahama and Rahab. Despite their differences, they were both commended for their faith. This is because their faith resided in their whole being and left a mark, an evidence. This kind of faith let people decipher your intent, the whole of your being before you attempt to explain or talk about it. Genuine faith is dynamic. A dynamic faith is genuine. 

   Whenever we try to scrutinize ourselves, we must determine the kind of faith that we have. It is a challenge for us christians to prove not to others but to ourselves that our faith is dynamic and genuine. By this, we must try to inspect and try to discover if we are affecting the lives of our family, friends and the people around us in a good way. Are we reflecting the character of God or are we blind enough not to see that we are living in a false faith? In ephesians 2:8-10 it says there that a genuine faith will always manifest. 

     Blindness of faith is a very dangerous thing;nevertheless, there is always a way on how to overcome it. Erik Weihenmayer was blind and yet he was able to climb the 7 peaks fo the world. The magic? Obedience. He was attentive to the person giving him the instructions. Just like him, we christians must learn to obey. We must listen and obey the voice, the scripture. Let God’s word sink into our minds, hearts and then let it manifest. The result?  Just like Erik, we will be able to scale greater heights if we only keep in mind the formula : MIND + HEART + WILL.