Our actions demonstrate our faith. James 2:14-18 “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” It is necessary to show our faith by our works and actions.
We are told that faith is essential. Hebrew 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” God’s vengeance is promised to those who do not know God. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 “When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.” Since faith is essential, how do we demonstrate our faith? Our faith and our actions should be consistent with each other.
If you believe that God truly loves and cares for you, in faith you will discard fear and worry. Luke 12:6-7 “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” 1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” In faith, you will trust Him.
If you believe that God wants you to love Him and love your neighbor, in faith you will have that love. Matthew 22:37-39 “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” In faith you will live in love.
If you believe that God hears and answers prayer, then you will be praying in faith that God hears and will answer your prayers. 1 John 5:14-15 “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”
If you believe there is an eternal home prepared for you, then rather than live for this life, in faith you will live for the life to come. 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 “So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”
If you believe that sins such as sexual immorality, lying, and selfish ambition are contrary to God’s will, then in faith you will purify your life. 1 John 3:2-3 “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” The works of the flesh are listed in Galatians 5:19-21 “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” If you believe that those who practice these works of the flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God, then in faith you will seek to avoid these works.
If you believe that nothing is hidden from God, then in faith you will get rid of secret evil desires or actions, for God knows all. Hebrews 4:13 “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
If you believe that God desires your worship, then in faith you will worship Him in spirit and truth. Jesus told the woman at the well in John 4:23-24 “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
If you believe that God wants you to stir up love and good works in your fellow Christians, then in faith you will desire to assembly together for that purpose. Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
In all areas of your life, your actions will be motivated by your faith. Your faith and your actions will be consistent with each other. I encourage you to walk in faith.