True Faith

True Faith

by the Rev. Paul Seiler

Faith in Christ is more than mere intellectual assent; it is believing with all the mind, with the will, and with action. Years ago a party of visitors at the national mint were told by a workman in the smelting works that if you first dipped your hand in water, a ladle of molten metal might be poured over the palm of the hand without burning it. A husband and wife were part of this party of visitors. “Perhaps you would like to try it”, the workman said to the husband. The husband drew back sharply, “No thanks,” he said, “I’ll take your word for it.”

The workman turned to the wife, “Perhaps you would like to try it.” She replied, “Certainly.” She pulled up the sleeve of her blouse and thrust her hand into a bucket of water. Calmly she held her hand out while the metal was poured over it.

The husband believed at one level – but he wasn’t willing to put his belief to the acid test. The wife, on the other hand, was willing to put her faith into action. True saving faith has the character of the wife’s faith – it acts upon the word of God.

But someone may well say, You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (James 2:18)