God was teaching me again this past week on what faith looks like in being Supernatural action.  He first took me to the single verse of Mark 14:7.  So I turned to that verse and read, “For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me” (NASB).  Immediately, I was then sent to a second specific verse of James 2:5 and read, “Listen, my beloved brethren:  did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?” (NASB).

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist or a doctoral theologian to see that both of these single verses are speaking of the poor in this world, those without financial resources.  However, it is not the similarities of the two verses that I was seeing, but the difference in faith between these two verses.  The passage from James is calling one without financial resources a rich person because of the faith they have while the passage in Mark seems to be highlighting individuals who fit the category of a beggar; one without financial resources striving to survive on their own or by the help of man, not God.

I guess these two things needed to be highlighted for me to grasp what He was trying to teach me, which is what came next.  He wasn’t saying that we all need to be poor in order to fully understand faith and to fully receive faith.  God was showing me the action of faith in fullness in the passage of Mark by using the passage from James.  Picking apart the verse from Mark, we see “whenever you wish you can do good” and also “you do not always have Me.”  What I was hearing was that you do not need Jesus in order to do good!  But in order to operate in faith (Mark 14:6 and 8), you need Jesus.  Mary had to hear from God in order to do the act recorded in Mark 14, which highlighted her faith and brought glory to God.  To have a good act as mentioned in verse 7 of Mark 14, you don’t need Jesus, you can just do it whenever you want.  This is the same as the passage in James highlighting faith to the ability to hear God and then act accordingly.

I see this difference as a “Good Plan” or a “God Plan” in our actions.  The God plan requires faith while the Good plan does not.  So welcome to the topic of Faith and Works as James continues to write on in chapter 2.  Doing works as one wishes is the “Good Plan” that anyone can do at any time and feel good about themselves for their action (works righteousness).  While an action done as directed by hearing the voice of God is done at the right time for the glory of God and thus being a “God plan.”  It is very easy to put together a “good plan” as we are the ones who derive it; while the “God plan” requires us to focus upon God and His voice.  How are you living your life?  Are you living a “good plan” out, or are you seeking to live a “God plan” out?

I desire to live a Faith-Full life, for His glory alone; a God plan.