{Grow Up}

“Yes, there are specific callings & then there are commands that every believer is called to.” –Candance McDowell: Pillars Girls Bible Study

At Pillars we are doing a series right now called: Grow Up-A study on the book of James. Tonight Natalie taught,and it was such an amazing, challenging, &convicting night. What brought about the quote above is when Natalie was asking the girls the question: “what is dead faith?”

From that discussion one of the girls said. "but then there is that whole “called” word." Then Candance interjected with the above statement. Jenna, another leader said something that I think may help explain it a little better. “Now, Candance is “called” to girls’ ministry, but does that mean she is suppose to ignore those who are hungry and without clothes, NO! We are all called to feed the hungry and clothe the naked…etc”

I love that because what we were getting at was that some people use the “called” word as an excuse NOT to do something. “Well, I’m not called to be a missionary, or called to teach, or (fill in the blank).” If we are in Christ we are all called to have some actions, obidence, works that follow our faith!!! Not just all talk and no walk and no action. This is what we are ALL in body of Christ called to...not just "certain people."

“ What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith, but does not have works? Can his faith save him. If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well," but you don't give them what the body needs, what good is it? In the same way faith, if it doesn't have works, is dead by itself. But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe—and they shudder. Foolish man! Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless? Wasn't Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was perfected. So the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness , and he was called God's friend. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way, wasn't Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by a different route? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.” James 2:14-25

GROW UP!

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22