"So you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless." James 2:17
With a $295 entry fee, the New York City Marathon is one of the most expensive 26.2 mile races in the world. And even though this hefty fee is nonrefundable for any reason, more than 50,000 runners still sign up each year hoping nothing will prevent them from showing up on race day. But since the organizers realize that injuries, emergencies and other things happen (and have left past runners lamenting the loss of cash), they announced on January 16 that race insurance will now be available for purchase. They said that the insurance policies must be paid for at registration and will offer runners protection against the unexpected. The insurance would cover everything from a sick child to a travel delay, a car breakdown to a stress fracture.
And while obtaining this additional protection might give participants a sense of security, there's another type of insurance that gives many professed believers the same sense of security... fire insurance. This insurance is salvation without transformation. It's a faith without actions belief in God that many people believe provides protection from going to hell. It's the idea that having your name on a church roster, being baptized or claiming to believe in God is enough - and no other life changes are necessary. But the Bible is clear that "faith by itself isn't enough." You see, our actions will reveal what we truly believe... or don't believe. And if we truly believe that Jesus is who He claims to be, we will make him Lord and ruler of our lives and our “good deeds” will be evident to others.
John MacArthur says it this way, "A Christian is not one who simply buys “fire insurance,” who signs up just to avoid an unpleasant after life. A Christian…repeatedly, is one whose faith expresses itself in submission and obedience. A Christian is one who follows Christ, one who is committed unquestionably to Christ as Lord and Savior, one who desires to please God." So the question is then, is there really such a thing as "fire insurance?" And just how much protection does it really offer?
Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word that so clearly tells us that our actions show what we believe. If we profess to know You but haven't made it evident by the way we are living, help us to examine ourselves and work toward growing closer to You until good deeds are something that people see us do all the time. And because of this, may You be glorified. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Y5hLwwW7vM
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