Mathematics is a subject I really enjoyed in senior secondary school, and I still really love using some mathematical terms because of how vivid they were. Imagine a simple equation 2x + 5 = 100. Find X? — don’t worry about finding X😁.
From the equation above, it’s inferred that 2 and 5 can only amount to 100 because of the value of the x variable.
Similarly, we also have different variables in life and today we will discuss one of them — work. Work is a variable because it is dependent on us humans, therefore it is not definite that it will be done because we have a free will and sometimes coconut head😒.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8–9
As believers, we have been called to live by faith, and on the faith lane we know that everything we have we received by grace through faith.
It’s interesting that after salvation we continue to live on this earth and begin to partner with God to bring His will to manifestation. As we see in Genesis, God commanded us to be fruitful, multiply, and have dominion over the earth. As He gave these commands, He gave the ability to do it (grace). But my emphasis today is on doing what the Lord has commanded us to do. There are things, a lot of things that will not happen till you act.
What then is Faith?
Faith is an action word; it is not a feeling. We say because we believe. We move because we believe. Saying and moving are actions.
Let’s see what scripture has to say about faith and work: James 2:14–26
“14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe — and tremble!
20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?
22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.
24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
The works of faith give substance to your hope otherwise, to what end will your belief be? How many times have you prayed for something, believed, and then realized that there is the work variable of that blessing?
Let’s take a new job as a scenario — this is as practical as it gets:
You desired it, believed for it, prayed for it, did everything you knew to do. Congratulations, you got the job, and you also get to work daily.
If faith didn’t require the work variable, then after receiving the job you could just stay in bed all day while you receive your wages, promotions, commendations, etc. — But no, You must rise every day to do the work committed for your hands.
That’s the same thing here, God often gives us instructions on what to do but if we refuse to do them, that negates our faith.
In summary, the blessing comes with a measure of responsibility on your part. What you do with your responsibility determines if the blessing multiplies or not — remember the parable of the talent?
So, you prayed for an increase, now do the work that people enjoying increase do. You prayed for marriage, now be ready to take on the responsibility of the married.
The most amazing part is this, as much as we must do the work, the strength, and grace required for it also come from God (Phil 2:13).
God’s grace is still what produces in us the ability to will and to do for His good pleasure. So, when the time for the work variable comes, know that you can tune into Grace to receive the ability to do; and then go forth and do.
Faith and Work go hand in hand. But like the equation we started with, if we do not play out our X, the equation will not amount to the desired result.
Creation is waiting for your manifestation, dear son of God; please find/do your X.
Have a remarkable week ahead!
Timilehin Ayodele