“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” – Philippians 2:13
I have a cause and effect religion. Cause and effect? What does that mean? When something occurs that triggers another event, that is termed ‘cause and effect.’ I have read lots of verses that describe my cause and effect relationship with God. Here are a few examples.
Proverbs 3:6 – “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
- Cause: Acknowledge God in all things.
- Effect: He will guide you through life.
James 5:16 – “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
- Cause: Pray
- Effect: Results
Revelation 3:20 – “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
- Cause: Receive the gospel message.
- Effect: Jesus will commune with you as Saviour.
Perhaps the most famous cause and effect in Scripture can be found in John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
- Cause: Believe in Jesus Christ, God’s Son, as your Saviour.
- Effect: God will give you everlasting life.
So how does Christian cause and effect impact me? First, it tells me that my faith must be a proactive faith. I cannot be a complacent believer, one who simply does nothing, for if I do nothing, my faith is essentially dead according to James 2:20. No action produces no result… no cause equals no effect. The brother of Jesus reiterates that my faith should be actively evidenced by my works… by the “causes” that will generate godly “effects.”
Secondly, I must identify the types of works (causes) that need to be demonstrated in my life. First and foremost, I must call upon the name of the Lord for my salvation. Romans 10:13 says “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Note the cause and effect). After that, I am to seek God’s righteousness… how? Through reading His Word, through attentiveness to the Holy Spirit as He guides me to all truth “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” – John 16:13. I must also become a better witness for the cause of Christ, reflecting Him to those around me. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16.
Thirdly, but no less important than the first two, I must continue to cultivate my relationship with Christ, so I can grow strong in my faith and service to God. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells me to continually be in prayer. 2 Timothy 2:15 commands me to study God’s Word. 1 Peter 2:2 declares that I must desire the Word of God to grow. Hebrews 10:25 exhorts me to fellowship with other Christians… to gather together for worship. These works are critical for me to grow in my own faith and relationship with Jesus.
The scientist in me sees Newton’s third law of motion… for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Everything I do in my walk of faith has a reaction… a consequence…an effect… and those effects can be positive or negative. It is my responsibility to strive for positive effects rather than allowing the negative ones to sprout. To do so, I must take the appropriate actions… the right causes… to affect the results I seek. If I want answers, I must pray. If I want the abundantly life that Jesus has promised, I must follow Him. Cause and effect. It’s that simple!
Seek ye first the Kingdom of God
And His righteousness
And all these things shall be added unto you
Allelu, Alleluia
Ask and it shall be given unto you
Seek and ye shall find
Knock and it shall be opened unto you
Allelu, Alleluia
(from “Seek Ye First” by Karen Lafferty)
“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;” – Colossians 1:9-10
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Are you satisfied with the picture of faith your works are revealing?