Today’s 333 Devotional: “Knowing the Difference”

Knowing the difference make all the difference.

Information alone leads to legalism. Inspiration alone leads to fanaticism. But a Christ-like character comes when these two are incarnated, that is, brought to life in what we do, that is, putting both into practice.

This is basically 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 non-existent.

“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, then we have to show our faith in practical ways, not out of obligation, but out of love for Him.

Information and inspiration need to be incarnated if there is to be true growth and maturity.

If all we do is gather information and know theology, or if we go to one Christian event after another in search of inspired goose bumps, 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 have the same reoccurring 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 that the Word, Jesus, became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). The divine became human. God was bringing 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 work through us.