James 2:17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
“Faith believes that God will do what He says He will.”
Faith is an action. Faith is not an adjective that describes a feeling but it is a verb and an action. Faith is not a theory that sits on the bookshelf but a conduit that ignites action. Idle faith is dead. Actions must be reflected in our actions. Persistent faith makes us faithful. Faith and action are inseparable. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds (James 2:18).Deeds do not justify us – only faith does. We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8), but our actions propagate our faith without words. Gospel is preached by the pastors on the pulpit but the essence of the goodnews is preached by the congregation on the streets and supermarkets. We don’t need a podium to preach our faith; our actions are the “silent sermons” to the world.
In the year 1999, Graham Stains, an Australian missionary along with his 8 year old twin boys were burnt alive in the jeep that they were sleeping in. His wife Gladys Stains gave a statement in the Times of India that she forgives the ruthless terrorist who tragically killed her husband and sons. Her forgiveness preached the gospel powerfully and accentuated her faith emphatically to the fanatic Hindu terrorists. Faith without deeds is dead.
The authenticity of our faith is tested and proved by our actions and reactions.
The Faith Bubble:
1. Guard: Practice what you preach. Guard your heart from fear and fury that contaminates faith. Guard your faith.
2. Gasoline: As gasoline ignites the engine into movement, faith must be the gasoline that plunges us into action. In a trial, if we react in fear, then our faith is faint. If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small (Proverbs 24:10). Accelerate your faith.
3. Grow: Jesus taught us to grow and galvanize our faith by fasting. “Such things do not go without fasting and prayer” (Matthew 17:21). Grow your faith.
Faith without action is dead.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to practice what I preach. Give me tenacity to guard my faith, accelerate and grow my faith. Amen.
Leave a Reply