Lazy Faith (Pt.2)

(Part 2)

Faith without action is dead and useless. It is lazy faith! We should not be surprised by a generation that is disconnect from their faith, that has been trained up by a generation lazy about theirs. We need to recommit ourselves to living out our faith everyday. We do this by understanding what composes lazy faith. 

Lazy faith is faith without consistency. It is a lack of faithfulness to routine. Is it possible to have faith, without faithfulness? Proverbs 20:6 declares “Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?” You see, creed without action is lazy faith. Jesus said in Luke 16:10: “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.”The question becomes are we showing ourselves faithful in the little things in regards to attendance, serving, giving, and devotions. Are we showing ourselves to be faithful?

Lazing faith is also faith without discipline. Many of us have a severe inability to tell ourselves “No!” Faith requires us not only to say “Yes” to God, but also say “No” to ungodliness:

“For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God.”-Titus 2:11-12

The danger we face when we refuse to exercise self-control is that we ultimately counteract our progress with poor decisions.  

Thirdly, lazy faith is faith without practice. Lazy faith is characterized by an unwillingness to practice our faith outside the church. Many people have a desire to play piano, but few have the desire to practice. A lack of practice leads to a lack of proficiency. I wonder how many of our kids signed up to play a sport, but when they did’t want to put the time in practicing, we pushed them to do so; yet we signed up to follow Jesus, but don’t live by those same convictions:

“Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me-everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”-Philippians 4:9

“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. you see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. “-James 1:22-24

Finally, lazy faith is faith without accountability. This is when we don’t have any spiritual goals set for ourselves and we are critical of those who attempt to hold us accountable to even the very basics of our faith. That is precisely why many people stay out of church. It is to avoid having to account for their ongoing poor decisions. However, God has instructed us to hold each other accountable for our actions:

“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.”-Galatians 6:1-2

The owner of the gym I attend is quick to call me out if I am using wrong form or sees a way I can improve myself. He isn’t being mean or judging me, he is keeping me from hurting myself and helping me to get the most out of my workout. 

Don’t let your faith become dead in useless when it is within your power to put it into action. Be consistent. Stay disciplined. Keep practicing. Remain accountable. If you will, your faith will become vibrant. 

Pastor Scott Burr

Dayspring Community Church 

Lazy Faith (Pt.)

(Part 1)

“What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?”-James 2:14

Have you ever purchased a gym membership and then only attended once or twice? You signed up because you believed that going to the gym would help you reach your health and fitness goals and that housed within that gym was everything you needed to develop consistent disciplines that would help you reach your expectations. 

However, for those who only engaged the gym once or twice, those health and fitness goals were likely never achieved; not because you didn’t believe they could be, but rather because of your inaction. The same could be said of us in regards to our spiritual health. 

I heard a quote recently from an author discussing his own journey of faith. He was referring to a dry season of his life when he made this statement: “I wasn’t lacking in faith, I was just lazy in practice.” That statement got me reading James 2:14-26 a lot differently. 

I’ve always approached James Chapter 2 as a dialogue on faith vs. works discussing the value of each and how they compliment one another. Yet, works still often gets cast in a negative light; most notably when it is seen as a means of trying to gain salvation. What I find interesting in the New Living Translation is how the author interchanges the word work with the word action:

“Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete.”-James 2:21-22

Here is why that is interesting to me. Laziness is defined as: to dislike, oppose, or be disinclined toward work, activity, or exertion. When James begins to talk about faith without action, that quote comes to mind- “I wasn’t lacking faith, I was just lazy in practice.” It causes these words from James 2:15-18 to take on a whole new light:

 “Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

James doesn’t mince words here. Faith that isn’t put into action is dead and useless. In a very real sense, some people’s faith is as useless as the gym membership card they carry around in their wallet. The true value of faith is not seen or experienced until it is put into action. 

It is hard to claim that you are a person of faith, when there is no activity to support that statement (James 2:23-24). Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions, and not by faith alone. Would you say that a person with a gym membership that only goes sporadically is “committed to their health and fitness?” We all know the old adage: Actions speak louder than words. We don’t listen to people’s creeds to determine their heart, we watch their actions. Thus, our inaction, as well, is declaring something about us. We have lazy faith. 

Scott Burr

Dayspring Community Church 

The scars of my salvation (Pt.2)

(Part 2 of 2)

“Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost! “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet.”-Luke 24:35-40

Why would Jesus show them His hands and feet?  Was it to prove that he was Jesus? The same one they knew and loved and saw crucified.  Or was there something more to it? Several Old Testament passages of Scripture may throw some light on the subject:

“My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet.”- Psalm 22:16

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”-Isaiah 53:5

“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.”-Zechariah 12:10

Each of these passages pointed to a future Messiah that would be pierced for our salvation. Even Thomas, the disciple who missed Jesus’ first post-resurrection visit, refused to be convinced unless he saw the nail wounds in Jesus’ hands for himself (John 20:24-29). 

Those nail pierced hands were evident of something more than Jesus’ identity. They are evidence of our salvation. Some people have said that the best evidence of salvation is a changed life.  I would clarify that idea this way: a changed life should be the outcome of our salvation and good works a demonstration of our salvation. Nevertheless, you can do both of those things and yet, at moments; even seasons of your life, not feel saved. 

That is why his nailed scarred hands and feet are so significant. Jesus carries in His body the evidence of my salvation. When I don’t feel saved,  I don’t lose hope because I am not trusting in my own abilities or feelings.

 When the devil starts pointing at my life and whispers “See you are not changed?” or “Where are your good works?”; I am reminded that those are not the evidences of my salvation. I look to His nail scarred hands and feet. It was not a changed life that saved me, it was His crucifixion. 

Scott Burr

Dayspring Community Church 

The scars of my salvation

(Part 1 of 2)

“Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away.”-Mark 14:50

Seems like a strange verse to lead with, however, this particular passage help us to lay the groundwork for the disciples state of mind. The disciples were just finishing up the celebration of Passover. They had fellowship together, sang hymns, and had an all night prayer vigil with Jesus; however the evening comes to a dramatic close with Jesus being arrested. The disciples respond by running away. 

I don’t know about you, but as a believer in Jesus Christ, I don’t always feel saved.  Anybody else every have that feeling? Circumstances, trials and poor choices seem to steal away our sense of peace with God. As I continued to study, at least Peter seemed to regroup enough to follow Jesus as He is being led away. However, when questioned about his relationship with Jesus later that evening in the courtyard, he adamantly denied even knowing Jesus (Mark 14:71-72). The scripture tells us that after his denial, Peter broke down and wept. 

I wonder how many of them that night, in that moment, felt saved? I wonder if Peter began to question his relationship with Jesus? 

If that wasn’t enough to shake their faith. Matters go bad to worse as Jesus’ is later led out to be crucified:

“By this time it was about noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn down the middle. hen Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.When the Roman officer[b] overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.” And when all the crowd that came to see the crucifixion saw what had happened, they went home in deep sorrow. But Jesus’ friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance watching.”-Luke 23:44-49

Jesus’ friends stood at a distance and watched as He was crucified like a common criminal.  Although it was that very act that would save our souls, as He breathed His last breath, I can’t help but wonder if they felt saved in that moment. 

Three days later they would rush to an empty tomb (Luke 24:1-12). They would see the grave clothes and hear from others who claimed to have encountered Him after His resurrection. Their hearts would be filled with wonder, but John 20:19 tells us that they went right back into hiding for fear of the Jews. They were a firsthand witness to Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection; yet they remained unconvinced. What they saw didn’t save them!

Scott Burr

Dayspring Community Church 

Destination Holiness

“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”-Hebrews 12:14

I think that the reason that so many people struggle to live for God is that they have determined the ultimate destination of our faith to be heaven. When we approach salvation as simply the transaction that secures our place in heaven, there is a tendency to sit back and wait for God to take us home. 

Don’t get me wrong. Heaven is going to be an amazing place, however it is a future expectation; which is fine as long as it doesn’t cripple our living for God now. However, what if heaven is not our ultimate destination. What if God’s desire for us is not necessarily heaven, but it is holiness:

“Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.”-Ephesians 1:4

God gave us some specific instructions in regards to holiness in 1 Peter 1:15-16: 

“But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

God calls us to be holy, for He is holy. The key word (next to holy) is the word “be”. Being indicates that this is something that we are to do in the present. Holiness is not just a future expectation, but a present reality. 

The word holy in its least complex definition is to be set apart. When we think about God as being holy we think about Him as being set apart from all other gods, set apart from all wickedness and sin. He is pure and righteous. Holiness is God’s nature (Exodus 15:11, 1 Samuel 2:2). He is solely set apart and above any other. 

When we don’t see holiness as a destination, it is easy to conclude that being holy is simply positional:

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”-1 Peter 2:9

Although it is true that we are made holy in God’s eyes through Christ; if we see holiness as completely achieved through salvation we can convince ourselves that there is nothing more to pursue. Why pursue something we’ve already completely attained? Yet, scripture is clear that once we place our faith in Christ the pursuit of holiness continues:

“Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.”-2 Corinthians 7:1 

God saved us and called us to live a holy life (2 Timothy 1:9). Truth is, when we pursue holiness, we are really pursuing God. When we pursue holiness we are going to engage God in the present and in heaven. However, if we purse only heaven, we are going to miss the present reality of God in our lives. 

Scott Burr

Dayspring Community Church 

Jesus greater than religion (Pt.2)

(Part 2 of 2)

“What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.”-Luke 11:42

Throughout Luke 11, Jesus continues to pull back the curtain on those whose hearts are becoming religious. Not only are religious people more concerned with how they look than how they live; vs. 42 shows us that they are also known for giving what is expected rather than what is needed. 

Are we really reflecting Christ if we are diligent to bring in our tithe each week, but do nothing to help a neighbor in need? Jesus was known to chastise their religious tendencies by pointing out how they would be quick to pull one of their ox out of a well if it fell in on a sabbath day, yet healing an individual in need on the sabbath messes up their religion. 

He also pointed out in vs. 43 that religious people are more concerned about being noticed than drawing attention to God:

“What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you love to sit in the seats of honor in the synagogues and receive respectful greetings as you walk in the marketplaces.”

However, one of the most telling things Jesus said about the religious is that they are good at removing headstones:

“Yes, what sorrow awaits you! For you are like hidden graves in a field. People walk over them without knowing the corruption they are stepping on.”

Rather than deal with the dead/sinful parts of their lives, religious folks will simply remove the headstones (outward evidence) so that no one will realize what is decomposing beneath the surface. They are unwilling to face their own faults and become defensive and insulted by those who attempt to speak truth into their lives. 

““Teacher,” said an expert in religious law, “you have insulted us, too, in what you just said.”-Luke 11:45

Instead, they heap unbearable demands on others to deflect from their own unwillingness to address the unrighteous behavior in their own lives. 

“Yes,” said Jesus, “what sorrow also awaits you experts in religious law! For you crush people with unbearable religious demands, and you never lift a finger to ease the burden.”-Luke 11:46

Their greatest fear is that those they lead will grow beyond them spiritually and soon recognize their shortcomings. So they intentionally make serving God about following rules rather than developing a relationship with Him. 

“What sorrow awaits you experts in religious law! For you remove the key to knowledge from the people. You don’t enter the Kingdom yourselves, and you prevent others from entering.”-Luke 11:52

Ultimately, religious people are not convicted by Jesus’ teaching and life; they are provoked and frustrated by it:

“As Jesus was leaving, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees became hostile and tried to provoke him with many questions.”-Luke 11:53

You might be drifting towards religion is you are attempting to marginalize the importance of following the teachings of Christ. Because having a relationship with Jesus is greater than being religious. 

Scott Burr

Dayspring Community Church 

Jesus greater than religion (Pt.1)

(Part 1)

“As Jesus was speaking, one of the Pharisees invited him home for a meal. So he went in and took his place at the table. His host was amazed to see that he sat down to eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony required by Jewish custom.”-Luke 11:37-38

Everybody thinks that Jesus makes sinners uncomfortable, but in reality He makes religious people uncomfortable. In fact, throughout the gospels Jesus regularly speaks to sinners with kindness but speaks to religious folks with sternness. 

Take for instance the woman caught in adultery. He didn’t deride her or chastise her because of her sinful condition, but asked, “ Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you? Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” How about when He was passing by a sycamore tree and called out to a tax collector by the name of Zaccheaus. Instead of rebuking him for his less than scrupulous practices, Jesus invited himself over to his house for lunch. Better yet, how about the thief on the cross next to Jesus, who was being crucified because of his criminal activity. Instead of saying to him, “You are getting what you deserve” Jesus promised him that, “This day you will be with me in Paradise.” 

Although He worked hard to demonstrate kindness towards sinners, He seemingly went out of His way to disrupt the religious leaders of His day; pointing out their hypocrisy and usurping their traditions and practices. 

Ultimately it wouldn’t be the sinners that would spearhead His crucifixion, but the religious. The lost, hurting, broken and oppressed flocked to Him. They were disenchanted with religion, but hungry for a relationship with Christ. Religion has a tendency of replacing a genuine relationship with Christ with works and traditions. In fact, if we fail to develop our relationship with Christ, we can easily drift into a religious mindset, that ultimately draws us farther from Him. 

Consider our passage in Luke 11. Jesus chooses to grace this man’s home.  Unfortunately the presence of God in His home was overshadowed by his concerns over Jesus not washing His hands. This man let Jesus into his home and immediately Jesus began to mess up his religion. Truth is, you let Jesus into your life; He will challenge every religious stronghold in your mind. 

So, how do I know if I am drifting towards being religious? 

"Then the Lord said to him, “You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and wickedness! Fools! Didn’t God make the inside as well as the outside? So clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over.”-Luke 11:39-41

First, religion may be grabbing hold of your heart if appearance is more important than holiness. An authentic relationship with Christ is going to change the way you live. 

Scott Burr

Dayspring Community Church