Hebrews 11:30(NLT) states, “It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down.” This verse encourages us to keep the faith when it appears to us that life has put up an impenetrable wall, separating us from the victory and blessings that God has promised. The Old Testament record in Joshua 6 tells us that the gates of Jericho were tightly shut. Walls were built to encapsulate this city, and this was a problem for the people of God. Our Heavenly Father promised them a land of milk and honey, and He instructed them to pursue this promise with faith. This meant they had to trust Him, and then move out in action, backing their faith with more than mere words. They went all in, showing they really believed in God’s promises by taking real, tangible steps. We must do the same.
Defining Faith
Our Heavenly Father defines faith in Hebrews 11:1(NLT): “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” Our faith in God is the title deed to whatever we’re praying to receive. When we’re praying for things that are aligned with His Will, our firmly held faith is a guarantee that God will deliver on His promises. It is a deep-rooted conviction in God’s love, power, goodness, and grace; and it is a confident expectation of His promises even though they may be beyond our physical sight. Faith is not simply believing in the existence of God; it’s being fully persuaded of who He is and the promises He has made in His Word. His promises are not empty assurances, but they are backed by God’s integrity and faithfulness.
Understanding Action
In James 2:26(NLT), we learn: “Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.” This verse demonstrates that although we might have strong beliefs about our desires and aspirations in life, if we struggle to translate those into actions that convey our faith in God, the outcomes are often unsatisfactory and disappointing. It’s like having a body without breath – lifeless and unproductive. So, faith must be more than mere words or thoughts; it must be accompanied by tangible deeds that prove our trust in God.
This truth permeates every aspect of our lives, reminding us that genuine faith is not passive but active, manifesting itself in our daily choices and behaviors. We cannot compartmentalize our faith, cutting out God’s direction and authority in some aspects of our lives while welcoming it into others. Many of us attempt to do this. For instance, our desires can take us down paths that society approves, but God says are sinful. We will often try to move in these lanes without expressing the discipline and self-control that faith requires. This will prove to be unproductive.
Actions that translate loyalty
James 1:8 tells us that a double minded person is unstable in all their ways. This verse emphasizes the importance of having a steadfast and unwavering commitment to our faith in God through Christ. When our beliefs and actions are divided or inconsistent, it leads to instability in every aspect of our lives. Jesus Christ teaches us in Matthew 6:24 that no one can serve two masters, and this means that we can’t hold conflicting priorities. Instead, we must wholeheartedly devote ourselves to God and His Will.
Our actions must serve as tangible expressions of our loyalty to God and to our desire to please Him. Studying and applying His Word in our lives, serving others, living according to the example of Christ, giving and sharing, and extending forgiveness to those that have wronged us, these place us in alignment with God’s Will. So, let’s strive to remain on the path of His purpose and be rooted in our trust and obedience to Him. Then, when our faith in God is outwardly expressed through confessions, conversations, attitudes, and actions that please Him, our entire existence will be shaped into the image of Christ as we witness the manifestation of our desires.■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Faith in Action”, written by Fran Mack. Edits by Kim Times and K. Stephens for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2024. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.