THE SCALES OF FAITH

ARE THEY BALANCED IN YOUR LIFE?

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© GOD’S BREATH PUBLICATIONS

 

During the gold rush in California, miners would take their bright yellow nuggets of gold into town to have them weighed. Scales were used which possessed two balanced plates. The metal plate on one side held the gold. On the other plate of the scales, weights of various sizes were placed to determine how much gold there was. A small pointed needle would show when the sides of the scales were balanced. All eyes watched as the needle swayed back and forth as the weights were placed on the scales. Finally when the needle rested and pointed straight up, everyone could total the weights and find out what their treasure was worth.

 

In some ways a person’s life of faith in God is similar to such scales. On the one side of the “Scales of Faith” we have the beliefs we claim to hold stock in. These are the statements we make concerning what we believe in. These are the words that tell of doctrine we claim to live our lives by. This is our “Talk.”

 

On the other side of the “Scales of Faith” is the standard that measures the accuracy of our beliefs, our actions. These actions are our attitudes towards others, our living the beliefs we claim to have, our heart commitment to God. This side of the scale could be called our “Walk.”

 

The question each person should ask is, “Are my Scales of Faith, balanced?”

 

You may believe all the right things, know all the correct facts, memorize lines upon lines of scripture, but is there a “Walk” which reflects these beliefs?

 

1 John 1:6 7 discusses this when it says, “If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” 

 

What this is saying is that if we claim to believe that Jesus is our Savior, yet our “Walk” doesn’t reflect this, we may not be who we think we are. Too many of us think that our statements of faith determine ultimately whether we are saved or not. Statements are just that, statements, which without a verification of a corresponding “Walk” are nothing more than empty words.

 

James 1:22 gets right to the point of this matter when it says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” A life without commitment to what is claimed is really a life of lies. If we claim to be a child of God, yet fail to walk according to God’s Word, we are not living a life of honesty. We should understand that while we “Walk” out our faith, we will make mistakes and fall down occasionally, but at least we are striving to “Walk” as Christ would have us “Walk.” There is a problem though if we sit around “Talking” but never desiring to do any “Walking.”

 

The other problem that we often face is putting too much faith on the other side of the scales. We may be attempting to “Walk” our way into heaven without ever making any sort of commitment to our Lord or His Word. This is often the problem of the world. People feel that God will grade on the curve and as long as I am “Walking” better than most people, I will be rewarded with a place in heaven. People falsely think that if they give to charities, serve on the local school board, attend church, stay away from drugs and alcohol and are faithful to their mate they must be going to heaven. Scripture is very clear when it says in Romans 6:23 7:1, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” and later in John 14:6, “Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man come to the Father, but by me.” Confession of faith in Christ as one’s Savior for their sins and the statement of faith that Christ is the center of their life is the only way to obtain eternal life and a place in heaven. Even Christians fall into this trap by thinking that God doesn’t care what they believe as long as they do good deeds. The Christian often feels that he or she must work their way to heaven. They falsely believe that as long as they are serving in the church, attending regularly, and tithing that it isn’t important to read scripture, make proper decision based on God’s Word or to pray. They fail to believe correctly and therefore have no “Talk” to share with others. They unfortunately think that good works will help Jesus get them into heaven.

 

We must understand that our “Talk” and “Walk” as a believer is based on our “Relationship” with our God. We must know what we need to believe. We must study God’s word, not so we can live according to “The Law”, but so that we can live as God would have us live. We must put “Feet to our Faith” but not think that these “Works” will improve our chances for salvation from our sins. Only Christ can pay the penalty due for our sins. Everything that needed to be done to wipe away our sins was accomplished at the cross. The “Walk” of our lives should reflect a true “Talk” that is based on our love for our wonderful Savior. We serve our Lord, because we are thankful of His love and forgiveness, not because we think it will improve our chances of getting to heaven.

 

There are two scriptures that I should share which speak of the imbalances I have been speaking of.

 

First James 2:19, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder.” What this is saying is that just a belief in God is not good enough. Even Satan and his demons believe in God and it doesn’t do them any good. Living the Christian life is more than statements of faith.

 

Secondly Ephesians 2:8 10, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.” This is saying that we are saved by God’s grace and mercy, not by the things we do. You can’t work your way to heaven. It is true that we should live a holy life, seek to live like Jesus did, follow the New Testament precepts that challenge us honor God and love others. But we also must remember that our holy walk is not what saves us. Our walk proves if we really believe in Jesus as our Savior. It proves our love for the Father, Son and Spirit. It is a reflection of the life Jesus lived as our example.

 

So is your life balanced? Are your “Scales of Faith” balanced? If you’re not a Christian by the above standards, why not commit your life to Christ by asking Him to save you of your sins and send the Holy Spirit within you, to give you a new life where you can “Walk” a “Talk” that is pleasing to Him. If you are a Christian, have you been talking a big “Talk” but not walking according to what Christ would call you to. Possibly you have been walking a marvelous appearance of a “Walk” but have no beliefs to base it on. Maybe you have been trying to help God save you by doing good deeds. Why not repent and get your life in balance. Study God’s Word, Pray and Fellowship with other believers in a local fellowship. The life of a Christian, a Child of God, is a life of balance. You can only obtain this balance by letting God fill you with His Spirit, directing your paths with His Word; building the relationship you have with your Savior in prayer and sharing your burdens and gifts with other Christians. Seek Him and He will show you balance, as you have never seen it before.

 

1 John 3:1

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”