Open hearts

James 2:14, 19, 24 and 26 says, “My dear brothers and sisters, what good is it if someone claims to have faith but demonstrates no good works to prove it? How could this kind of faith save anyone?… You can believe all you want that there is one true God, that’s wonderful! But even the demons know this and tremble with fear before him, yet they’re unchanged—they remain demons…. So now it’s clear that a person is seen as righteous in God’s eyes not merely by faith alone, but by his works… For just as a human body without the spirit is a dead corpse, so faith without the expression of good works is dead!”

Verse 19 above tells us that, “You can believe all you want that there is one true God, that’s wonderful! But even the demons know this and tremble with fear before him, yet they’re unchanged—they remain demons”. That is quite a sobering thought. That it is possible to believe in God and remain unchanged. It’s not God’s way nor is it His plan yet many “Christians” choose to live life this way. I think the only way we can say we believe in God and remain unchanged is when we don’t allow Him into our hearts. We can mentally agree that there is a God but if we won’t let Him touch our hearts and make us new in Him, we will remain the same. We need to come to God with open hearts so He can change us from within.

I’m not just writing this series for new Christians, this is for all of us. We all have areas where we have not allowed God to touch us and we have remained unchanged in those areas. Some people are holding on to anger right now. The smallest thing will set you off. Some haven’t allowed God to reveal Himself as a provider and you fall prey to fear of not having enough. For some, you know God is your protector- it’s in the Word but you live in fear or anxiety. Some it’s ungodly relationships or friendships that are holding you back from being who God has called you to be.

What I am saying is this; we all have areas that God wants to work on in us. God wants us to start living lives that align with what we believe. Lives not controlled by anger, rage, fear, anxiety or bad decisions. But lives fully surrendered to Him that we may begin to experience His word come alive in us as we walk out our faith. God does not want us to remain the same. He does not want us to live in bondage of any kind. He wants us free. Faith in God brings freedom if we’ll allow God to touch those places we hide. We have to bring our brokenness to God and allow Him to work on it no matter how uncomfortable or awkward.

I don’t want to bump into someone I knew 10 years ago and hear them say, “You haven’t changed one bit!” That will not be a compliment, unless they are referring to my youthful looks! LOL. As I walk out my journey with Jesus I want to be constantly transformed into Christ likeness that I keep getting bolder, kinder, more generous, more patient, more loving, more obedient as I go in life. We should never settle for where we are as being the end of our transformation. There are levels to this. You can be nicer, kinder, more compassionate, more patient, more loving, more faithful, more reliable more more more.

Galatians 5:22-23 puts it this way, “But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless”. I pray that our faith in God, makes us seek Him more in areas where we have not seen His transformation. In areas that we know, need Jesus. So we can mature to a place where our faith is met and complimented by our actions.

Love and blessings,

Melissa Tsingano