Our Actions Reveal the Reality of Our Faith
"But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." 1 Timothy 5:8
Text: 1 Timothy 5:8-16
When we come into the church, through salvation in Jesus Christ, we get a new family! Church is not an event where religious goods and services are dispensed. Brad House notes, "The number of seats we fill will not determine the legacy of our churches. The depth to which the gospel penetrates those lives will determine our legacy." When the gospel begins to shape us, we see ourselves as desperate, broken, and helpless. We know we need a Savior! When we remember our salvation (our rescue!), we naturally are quick and responsive to serve and provide for others who are desperate, broken, and helpless.
Apparently, in the early church, some were neglecting their biological families. They had forgotten their rescue. Maybe they thought they could take advantage of the generosity of the church community, therefore nullifying their duties and responsibilities to their aging parents. Maybe they were busy "serving" God and the church while ignoring their immediate families. Jesus exposed the Pharisees for this type of hypocritical behavior in Matthew 15:5-6.
Clearly, the gospel had not penetrated far into the lives of those who claimed to know Christ but were negating their family responsibilities. Paul is clear--you can’t abandon your family! You must care for them, honor them, and provide for them. It's a denial of the faith you say you possess when you fail to do so.
We all have areas where we claim to follow Jesus but our actions don't display the gospel rescue we undeserving received. Your actions reveal the strength and the reality of your faith. But Scripture is clear, we don't simply start working harder to prove that our faith is real and strong. Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (Romans 10:17)! Let the word of Christ, the gospel, fill up your heart and mind today. Heart-driven actions will follow.
Today, dwell on 2 Corinthians 5:21: For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. You weren't just bad before Christ. You were the object of God's wrath. But Jesus became sin for you and you became the righteousness of God in Christ! Think about that today. Let that penetrate your heart. Your life will display Jesus! Your actions will change!
YESTERDAY'S APPLICATION:
