10 16 08 Knowledge or Evidence?

“You believe there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that. And they tremble…Our father Abraham offered his son Isaac on the altar. Wasn't he considered to be right with God because of what he did? So you see that what he believed and what he did were working together. What he did made his faith complete (Genesis 15:6)… The body without the spirit is dead. In the same way, faith without good works is dead.” (James 2:19-26 NIrV)

KNOWLEDGE as defined by Merriam Webster states the following: the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association; the fact or condition of being aware of something. EVIDENCE, on the other hand is defined in this way: an outward sign; something that furnishes proof. There is big difference between knowing something and someone else seeing the evidence that we really believe it.

I have often heard the question asked of believers: “If standing before a jury and accused of being a Christian, would it be possible to be convicted by others’ eyewitness accounts?” In other words, is there enough physical evidence to convict us of our faith in Christ?

“I know what you are doing. I know you aren't cold or hot. I wish you were either one or the other! But you are lukewarm. You aren't hot or cold. So I am going to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich. I've become wealthy and don't need anything’ But you don't realize how pitiful and miserable you have become. You are poor, blind and naked.” (Revelation 3:15-17 NIrV)

So many of us have become very comfortable since first realizing we were sinners in need of a Savior. Oh we were so excited at first: telling our family and even co-workers of our new faith and our wonderful Pastor and the friendliness of the church. What happened? Did life get in the way?

Jesus warned the church in Laodicea that they had become lukewarm…indifferent…uncaring. Even in the most challenging of times lately, believers are turning to the world for answers instead of trusting God at His Word. Even when wealth and other riches are fading…

Be encouraged. It’s in these toughest and most grueling times that our faith not only sustains us, but calls unbelievers to the love of our DADDY! Via Dolorosa or Via Crucis designates a stretch of road between the Antonia fortress and Golgotha, along which Jesus Christ walked, bowed under the weight of the Cross. As Christ walked the road to His death, many began to realize He was indeed Messiah. Many more believed as He suffered on the cross and still more when He rose. His faithful obedience to God’s will is still evidence today to the love, mercy, and power of God.

When our faith is evident in our lifestyle (the choices we make and the things we say) it is a lively and energetic faith. It is a witnessing faith!

May it never be said of us that we are lukewarm and there is no evidence of our trust in God. May our KNOWLEDGE (faith) be vividly EVIDENT and alive so when the time comes, we all are rightly accused and convicted…sentenced to eternal life with our Savior in heaven!