My little brother, Clay, was writing out a long list of numbers on a piece of paper. My older brother, Cliff, asked him what he was doing.  It seems that Clay had figured out that if he saved one penny today and two pennies the next and four after that and kept doubling it, he would have $10M in a month.  Clay was excited; in just 30 days, his money worries would be over for life. Cliff was impressed with the math but then asked, “did you earn the first penny yet?” The fallacy of Clay’s thinking was that he believed something that was mathematically true but was not the basis of his actions. What he had put his faith in was not in alignment with his works.

Just as a body without spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.

James 2:26

This scripture is too often the status of our walk in this life. We define who we are and where we are going and how we should behave in a future state of ourselves or on principles, teachings, and truths we may or may not believe. For example, I constantly ask men if they believe the Bible is true cover to cover.  Nearly 100% tell me some version of “yes.” When I ask if their actions line up with the Bible’s teachings, again almost 100% of the time, I get some version of “Well, I try” or worse, “I wish.”  Hmmm, so the Bible is true but not true enough to inspire actions?

In 2 Chronicles Chapter 20, King Jehoshaphat hears there is an army coming that is simply overwhelming. He was wealthy and did have a great army but the one coming was bigger, better equipped, and intended to see him dead. Verse 3 describes what a man of faith does in a situation like that “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord.” He called a fast for the whole nation, and they listened to what God had to say on the matter. God instructed them to show up for a battle that they knew they could not win and sing.

King Jehoshaphat had faith in God, so he did as God told him to do. He appointed men to sing. To praise God, out loud, amid the battlefield. God destroyed the enemy. All the Judeans had left to do was to gather up the spoil. The Bible says it took them three days to gather up the gold and other precious jewels from the dead enemy. 

So, a simple question for today “Who are you?” Are you a man with an enemy intent on your destruction and death? Do you have faith? What works will your faith produce?  Guys, it’s time we stop playing around. Be the husband your Bible says you are to be. It has nothing to do with your wife, your kids, your job, or your situation. It all boils down to, does the truth inspire your actions? Read your Bible, hear from God and take action.  You will be glad you did.