Opportunity For Action
10-20-04

In the message "The Risk of Faith" we saw the call of God is always accompanied by a perceived risk. The risk may be in terms of finances, rejection, or failure; but there will always be an element of the unknown in God's call which requires us to trust and increase our faith. We should note that when we follow God's call, the true risk only exists in our mind.

Oh, please don't misunderstand. Following God's call may require sacrifice and painful perseverance - there may even be sever trials and hardships along His path - but despite our physical circumstances, the middle of His plan is the safest and most secure place to walk. But walking in His perfect plan will continually call us to actively take a step of faith.

When the tax collector came for the "two-drachma" tax, Jesus gave Peter very interesting instructions on how to obtain the necessary funds.

Matthew 17:27
"Go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for My tax and yours."

With all the power of Creation at His disposal, Jesus could have produced any number of coins and made them readily available. Yet, with the tax collector waiting by the door, Peter was told to excuse himself and take a fishing line down to the lake. Why go through all this trouble with the fish?

Our walk with Christ involves continually developing and growing our faith. It would have taken very little faith for Peter to pick a coin off the table and pay the tax. He was therefore given the "opportunity" to strengthen his faith as he trusted Jesus and not his own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). Peter's faith grew, and therefore his closeness with Jesus, as he obeyed and cast out his fishing line.

Jesus is able to fully meet all our needs (Philippians 4:19). But He loves us enough to lead us to specific action; "faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" (James 2:17). The specific actions or accomplishments are never really the issue; rather, it's the growth in our relationship with Jesus which is important. Our faith becomes alive and we grow closer every time we obey, follow, and take the step!

What is Jesus asking of us today? Chances are it's nothing as far fetched as the coin in the fish; but the message is the same, He says: "Trust Me!" When our Savior calls, we must be prepared to absolutely trust and follow where He leads. When He calls, we will always be given the opportunity for action.

Have A Great Day!