Today’s Devotional: “Knowing the Difference”

Knowing the difference makes all the difference.

Information alone leads to legalism. Inspiration alone leads to fanaticism. But Christ-like character emerges when we incarnate these two, bring them to life in what we do, and put them into practice.

This is essentially what the Apostle James is advocating. We need to do more than just hear or read God’s word; we need to put it into practice. Otherwise, our faith is dead; that is, it’s nonexistent.

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves … Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead … Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 1:22, 2:17-18)

If we say we believe in Jesus, we must show our faith in practical ways, not out of obligation but out of love for Him.

Information and inspiration must be embodied for true growth and maturity.

If all we do is gather information and study theology, or if we go from one Christian event to another in search of inspired goosebumps, then no matter how many years we’ve been a Christian, we’re still going to be babes in Christ, and we’ll continue to make the same mistakes and face the same recurring problems.

But when we start putting into practice what we learn, when we start utilizing and moving in the gifts and abilities given to us by the Holy Spirit, then we’ll start maturing, that is, moving from the milk to the meat of God’s word (Hebrews 5:12). This is the incarnation aspect of a believer’s life.

The Bible says the Word, Jesus, became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). The divine became human, and God brought His promise to fruition.

In a similar way, we need to flesh out God’s word. God’s word needs to be incarnated within us and to work through us.