"Let Our Faith Be More Than Anthems..."

“Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” - James 2:17

In my car the first three radio presets are to Christian music stations – K-Love, 106.9 The Light, and AirOne.  You can pretty well gather that if you see me singing my heart out in my car (not ashamed or embarrassed about that BTW), it’s probably to a Christian song.  All the songs I sing in church are Christian songs and I always try to pick ones that represent the lessons God is currently teaching me.   I love how Christian music artists can take the thoughts of my heart and put them into words.  These songs have a way of speaking to your soul.  They say what you are feeling and express what you’re going through and how God is in control of it all. 

Recently, however, I came across a line of one of these Christian songs that “struck a chord” with me (that pun was intended).  In the new Newsboys song, We Believe, there is a short line in the second verse that reads like this, “So let our faith be more than anthems, greater than the songs we sing.”  Goodness gracious…that is one loaded lyric.  When we’re listening to or singing songs about serving others (Matthew Wests’ Do Something), trusting God in hard times (Matt Redmond’s You Never Let Go), sharing Jesus with others (Britt Nicole’s The Lost Get Found), worshipping our Creator (Kari Jobe’s Revelation Song), or living like Christ (Casting Crown’s Lifesong) we have to make them more than just anthems of our heart – we HAVE to live them out. 

Think right now of your favorite Christian song.  Usually for me my favorite changes from week-to-week…but for now think of the one that comes to your mind first.  Sing it to yourself…it’s okay if you can’t sing, we can’t hear you :)  Okay, now analyze the lyrics you are singing.  Are you living those words out?  Do you believe them with your whole heart?  Is your faith more than this anthem…greater than this song you are singing? 

I’m just using the above songs as examples…any song that we sing in a service at church or at the top of our lungs in our car or shower apply to this thought.  We must put feet to our faith (which is evidenced by the lyrics of these songs we love) and make these anthems more than just words.  The book of James had to have inspired this lyric, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:17)  FOR SURE we cannot be saved by works alone, we are saved by our faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).  However as believers in Jesus, our works (which include our godly actions and lifestyle) show the world, especially unbelievers, that we believe Christ.  Our actions are the evidence of our faith.  Galatians 5:6 says, “When we place our faith in Christ Jesus…what is important is faith expressing itself in love.”  We don't need to keep our faith locked inside ourselves, we need to live it out!  My NLT Life Application Study Bible sums this up beautifully, “We cannot earn our salvation by serving and obeying God.  But such actions show that our commitment to God is real.  Deeds of loving service are not a substitute for, but rather a verification of, our faith in Christ” (pg. 2118).

Don’t be passive in your faith.  Yes, it’s awesome you believe in Jesus…but show that you believe in Him!  Be that light to the world.  Be that city on a hill.  “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:16)  Let your faith be MORE THAN anthems and so much greater than the songs you sing.