Many modern Christians are facing a conflict between faith and action or work. Apostle James emphasized the faith, companied by action, and said that if it is not accompanied by action, faith by itself is dead(James 2:17), and action is essential. But as Martin Luther said(Romans 5:1), justification by faith alone is right. Faith and action(works) don’t conflict with each other, but it complements each other like two sides of the same coin.
And one of the important discoveries is that faith and action are the main factors to achieve Christian authority and power. Jesus had called twelve disciples and gave them authority and power for these two reasons; first, to proclaim the good news to al people, second, to drive out all demons and to cure diseases(Luke 1:1-6). Therefore, to be a responsible Christian, as a disciple of Jesus, we should have the authority and power to accomplish the ongoing ministry of Jesus.
Christian faith is the major source to have the authority of God. When we received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, God gave us authority through the name of Jesus. “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God(John 1:12)”. It is not something we earned, but it is given to us because of the name of Jesus Christ.
Action is the channel of power of God. God’s power is actively presented in our community through our faithful work. When Israelites faced the Jorden River right before the Promised Land, God told the priests to go in front of the people and put their feet into the river. And when they did their faithful work with obedience, God showed His power before all people to split the Jordan River and make the way to close over it.
There is another example that gives us a better understanding and its dynamics about how Christian faith and action are closely related to the authority and power of God. The police officer should have at least two things to show his power. The first thing is the authority that signifies who they are. The government empowers its law enforcement authority for them. It is not from their own, but the government gives authority to them. The other thing is a power that is the actual power police officers use the criminal do not comply and show force against a police officer. The police officer’s power is the use of his taser. The taser is the actual power to use force to bring the enemy into submission.
“All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age(Matt 28:18-20)”. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth(Acts 1:8)”.
In conclusion, Christians need to have the authority and power to complete the great commission that Jesus left us to accomplish. Having authority is required faith and obedience. Having power is a necessary action and commitment. In Christian Theology, these two words do not conflict, but it compliments each other. Faith and action are the very sources of the authority and power of God. These are core values to keep Christian’s life more fruitful.
