Believe It or Feel It or Do It?

Christ-followers throughout history has developed interesting tendencies. Instinctively or deliberately based on their influences they forced themselves to perceive God’s Word and Jesus’ teachings towards one of these tendencies:

• Just BELIEVE it – As long as you have the right beliefs or correct doctrine, you are a good Christ-follower. (your inner motivations or actions really doesn’t matter!)
• Just FEEL it – As long as you have the right attitudes or motivations, you are a faithful Christ-follower. (your doctrines or your actions are secondary!)
• Just DO it – As long as you are doing good in the world with the right actions, you are an excellent Christ-follower. (your belief systems or attitudes are not all that important!)

Even in the 21^st century, entire church organizations or networks are driven by the values of one of these leanings. History is filled with painful stories of what happens when we are theoretically and doctrinally led astray by overemphasizing one over the other.

That brings us to an important question: what is the scriptural focus for every Christ-follower?

The Book of James provokes us to consider the most distinct pathway if we are to consider ourselves as an authentic Christ-follower. We need to have a balance of all three factors: right belief, right attitudes and right actions.

Right Beliefs based on God’s Word: But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. (James 1:25)

Right attitudes based on a relationship with God: But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth…But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure… (James 3:14-17)

Right actions based on our faith in God: So, you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone. (James 2:24)

Let us seek this week to carry this distinct pathway into our personal and public lives!