Study, Meditate On, Memorize, Learn.....What Next?

I am a new creation. The Word of God is alive. By learning the Word and by following it's instruction I will be changed. Now, what am I going to do with that knowledge?

I have memorized scripture. I can flip back and forth from book to book in the Bible. I have absorbed what it says - love God, love your neighbor, love your enemy, feed the hungry, clothe the poor, take care of the widows and orphans. Live peacefully for the meek will inherit the earth. But what does God want us to do with that knowledge? Is it enough to be merely well-informed Christians?

Through faith in Jesus Christ, and not by my deeds, I have been saved. I have obtained salvation. I will spend eternity with God. But what about the space in between now and eternity? Do I stop at salvation? Should that be my goal line? Does God have any expectations of me?

I have heard people say that God only calls certain people to preach, evangelize, feed the poor, become missionaries, become martyrs, or sell their possessions to meet the needs of others. That is why they don't take action when they read the Word. They are waiting to be 'called'. Why would God share these stories in the Bible and instruct us to study them, meditate on them, memorize them and understand them, if they don't apply to each and every one of us? To inform us? To inspire us? What if they apply too me? What if they apply to you?

What if God doesn't expect us merely to be well-informed, knowledgeable, and righteous Christians, but expects us to be Christians of action?

Am I going to sit back and enjoy my new found, abundant life or am I going to use that knowledge blended with my softened heart to change the world in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ?

James 2: 14-26 (CEV)

14My friends, what good is it to say you have faith, when you don't do anything to show that you really do have faith? Can that kind of faith save you? 15If you know someone who doesn't have any clothes or food, 16you shouldn't just say, "I hope all goes well for you. I hope you will be warm and have plenty to eat." What good is it to say this, unless you do something to help? 17Faith that doesn't lead us to do good deeds is all alone and dead!

18Suppose someone disagrees and says, "It is possible to have faith without doing kind deeds."

I would answer, "Prove that you have faith without doing kind deeds, and I will prove that I have faith by doing them." 19You surely believe there is only one God. That's fine. Even demons believe this, and it makes them shake with fear.

20Does some stupid person want proof that faith without deeds is useless? 21Well, our ancestor Abraham pleased God by putting his son Isaac on the altar to sacrifice him. 22Now you see how Abraham's faith and deeds worked together. He proved that his faith was real by what he did. 23This is what the Scriptures mean by saying, "Abraham had faith in God, and God was pleased with him." That's how Abraham became God's friend.

24You can now see that we please God by what we do and not only by what we believe. 25For example, Rahab had been a prostitute. But she pleased God when she welcomed the spies and sent them home by another way.

26Anyone who doesn't breathe is dead, and faith that doesn't do anything is just as dead!