Beliefs that we truly hold, we act upon. If I am convinced that I am in danger, I will attempt to protect myself. If I actually think a problem exists, I will do my best to solve the problem. In our daily lives we may say that we have certain beliefs, but are there ways that demonstrate the reality of those convictions? Certainly, under stress or in tragic moments we retreat to what we say we believe. That retreat may not necessarily be a fool proof of our beliefs.
Our behavior in difficult times may reveal how unsettled and also irregular those claims of faith are. So, it would be wise of us to make in inventory of what we say we believe and then admit the resulting obligation upon us for action. We can say, “since I believe I am in danger, then I will try to protect myself.” We may be good at making claims, but then how do we verify that those claims are valid and functioning in our thoughts and lifestyle? Let us start with some obvious claims that most people make and “then” ask ourselves how we show the depth of those beliefs.
SINCE God loves me (all the time), THEN….
SINCE God will never do anything to hurt me, THEN….
SINCE God only has my best interest in mind, THEN….
SINCE God has full knowledge in all wisdom, THEN….
SINCE God only wants the best for me, THEN….
SINCE there is an actual eternity, THEN….
SINCE the Bible has specific instructions on how to live a successful life, THEN….
SINCE I have read this, then … What will I do about it?
SINCE I have read this, then …. How will I show consistently what I declare?
Our faith and our actions are like two horses both pulling the same wagon. They must both be present. They both must agree in their efforts to pull. With just one present, the other nullifies the first. I must ask myself, “Does my action agree with what I say I believe?”
Christian Writer 