What Controls Our Lives – Persuasion or Conviction?

James 1:22-25; 2:14-25

James 1:22-25 (NLT) 

    And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don't obey, you are only fooling yourself. [23] For if you just listen and don't obey, it is like looking at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance. [24] You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. [25] But if you keep looking steadily into God's perfect law—the law that sets you free—and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

James 2:14-26 (NLT) 

    Dear brothers and sisters, what's the use of saying you have faith if you don't prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can't save anyone. [15] Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, [16] and you say, "Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well"—but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

    [17] So you see, it isn't enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is no faith at all—it is dead and useless.

    [18] Now someone may argue, "Some people have faith; others have good deeds." I say, "I can't see your faith if you don't have good deeds, but I will show you my faith through my good deeds."

    [19] Do you still think it's enough just to believe that there is one God? Well, even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror! [20] Fool! When will you ever learn that faith that does not result in good deeds is useless?

Having good intentions are deceptive because we falsely equate good intentions with having an obedient heart. 

1. Make small changes whenever God speaks to our hearts, rather than big changes when we no longer have a choice

We often make important and radical changes only because of radical pain 

Psalm 32:6 (NLT) 

        Therefore, let all the godly confess their rebellion to you while there is time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.

Joel 2:12 (NLT) 

    That is why the Lord says, "Turn to me now, while there is time! Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.

Proverbs 6:10-11 (NLT) 

      A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.

2. Renew our relationship with God through repentance, followed by purposing to seek a deeper relationship and wisdom in all areas of our lives

Isaiah 55:6-7 (NLT) 

    Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. [7] Let the people turn from their wicked deeds. Let them banish from their minds the very thought of doing wrong! Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Plant good seeds by investing our hearts in seeking out God’s best for our lives at the front end and good works will follow more naturally

Luke 12:21 (NLT) 

    "Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."

3. Choose to be and live like a disciple of Christ because we cannot ultimately grow without Someone far wiser and powerful to lead us.

Luke 14:26-27 (NLT) 

    "If you want to be my follower you must love me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. [27] And you cannot be my disciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow me.

Choose to obey Christ as His disciple, even against our initial instincts, by doing all that He tells us to do, by faith, and it will all make sense later