Faith That WorksSample

How To Live a Fulfilled Life

Over the last six days, we have learned and applied practical wisdom from the book of James to help us build faith that lasts. We’ve learned how to persevere through trials, be merciful to others, master our tongues, and allow our community to strengthen our faith. We set out on a journey to become more like Christ by putting our faith to work because, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:17 NIV

You may be feeling like seven days aren’t enough to get you where you want to be in your faith. Maybe you feel like you’re just starting to figure it out! Good news, the beauty of life with Jesus is that we get to continue walking and working with Him for the rest of our lives. As we land on the final day of this Plan, we will focus on three key applications from James’ teaching that will continue our momentum long after we check off this final day:

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:7-8 NIV

Faith that works submits, resists, and comes near. Let’s talk about submission.

1. Submit to God.

Submit yourselves, then, to God … James 4:7 NIV

Submitting to God looks like trusting that He knows what’s best for us and choosing to do things His way, no matter how we feel.

In Hebrews 11, we see success stories of people just like us who had doubts, disabilities, and a whole slew of past mistakes that could have disqualified them from working with God. These people weren’t heroes of faith because their strengths outnumbered their weaknesses. They were heroes because they submitted to God’s call on their lives and chose to partner with Him, weaknesses and all.

Think about Moses. Was he perfect? For sure, no. He literally murdered someone and then ran for his life. Was he totally free of insecurities? Absolutely not. He basically begged God to pick someone else to deliver his people from Egypt. But, at the end of the day, He chose God’s way. Regardless of how he felt, this is what he got to be part of:

By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.Hebrews 11:29 NIV

Moses said “yes” to God, and he got to split the Red Sea! He witnessed a pillar of fire leading his people through the desert. He watched bread rain from the sky and water flow from a rock! This normal dude got to witness miracle after miracle in his life, all because he gave his “yes” to God.

2. Resist the devil.

… Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 NIV

When we are all-in on our pursuit of Jesus, the devil goes all-out trying to distract and dissuade us from trusting God. Even this week, you may have combated more lies, experienced more conflict, or even felt more discouraged and doubtful about why you’re trying to follow Jesus than you do normally. Don’t think that because you follow Jesus, temptation won’t come. Jesus experienced temptation from the devil, so when we do, we can look to His example:

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:1-4 NIV

Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. Not surprisingly, the devil didn’t want this to happen, so he tried to derail Jesus’ mission before it had even started. He attacked Jesus by targeting His identity and playing on His desires. And he does the same with us.

You might find yourself asking: Isn’t it easier to just live like everyone else?I don’t really want the devil coming after me. Yes, it’s easier, but it’s not better. Giving in to temptation might bring momentary relief from pressure or even bring us pleasure, but it doesn’t last.

On the other hand, choosing to resist the devil, honor God, and love people can be really hard. It can feel freeing to give full vent to our emotions and satisfy our selfish desires. But, it’s an illusion—a mirage that hides self-destruction on the other side. Real freedom and fulfillment come from denying ourselves, taking up our cross daily, and following Jesus. So, stand firm and resist the evil one. The devil does not have good plans for you, but Jesus came so you could have a rich and satisfying life—the kind of life you were made for.

3. Come near to God.

Come near to God and he will come near to you. … James 4:8 NIV

As we draw near to God, He draws near to us. What a powerful promise. That’s something we can hang our hope on. We don’t serve a God who’s distant or detached. He’s not hiding or playing hard to get. He’s so close and caring that when you move, He moves. That’s the kind of intimacy we’re invited to cultivate with the God of the universe. Are you kidding!?

So how do you do it? How do you draw near to God? Seek Him and serve people.

Scripture challenges us to seek God with all our hearts and reminds us that when we serve the least, last, and lost, we are ultimately serving Him.

As you seek His presence daily through worship, reading His Word, and coming to Him in prayer, and you ask Him to give you opportunities to see needs and serve people, you will not stall out in becoming the person you were created to be. You become like the people you spend time with. So draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.

Challenge: Don’t stop here! As you continue developing resilient faith, start the Plan Learning the Jesus Way of Life and find someone you can serve today.