Faith isn't a feeling, an idea or even a hopeful belief. Faith is confidence that God is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do. And that confidence prompts you to take action and do what God has called you to do. The Bible is full of examples of people whose faith was translated into action.
What Does God Say?
James 2 talks a lot about faith and works--the two go together. Faith without action or deeds or works is merely words. "So you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless" (James 2:17, NLT). You can say whatever you think but unless your actions back up what you believe it's not much faith. "How foolish! Can't you see that faith without good deeds is useless?" (James 2:20, NLT).
James 2 also mentions Abraham, whose faith always took action, even if it meant leaving his home for an unknown land and offering his only son as a sacrifice. God spared his son, and Abraham's faith was commended. His faith story covers Genesis 11:27-25:11.
Noah is another great example. Genesis 6:9 describes Noah as "a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God" (NLT). Hebrews 11:7 recounts, "It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith" (NLT). It was a preposterous assignment for an unheard of event but "Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him" (Genesis 6:22, NLT).
And it wasn't just the men. James 2:25 says, "Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road" (NLT). This woman risked her life to protect two men because she believed in God and believed He'd do exactly what He promised--destroy her city, Jericho. You can read the whole story in Joshua 2 and 6.
My Thoughts
Along with Abraham, Noah and Rahab, you'll find people who put faith into action listed in Hebrews 11. Check out their stories and see what you learn.
Abel (Hebrews 11:4; Genesis 4:2-8)
Sarah (Hebrews 11:11-12; Genesis 17:15-22; 18:10-15; 21:1-7)
Joseph (Hebrews 11:22; Genesis 44:18-45:15; 50:22-26)
Moses' parents (Hebrews 11:23: Exodus 2:1-10)
Moses (Hebrews 11:24-28; Exodus 2:11-25; Exodus 12)
- How did each person demonstrate faith?
- What kind of action did they take?
- What do you learn from their example?
My Part
We see examples in God's Word, but you probably know a few living examples today.
- Do you personally know someone who puts his/her faith into action?
- How does this person do that?
- What have you learned from him/her?
- How has this believer challenged you to make sure that your faith has feet, that it works?
*A quick shout out to my Believing God girls!!! I found this little study and about lept off my chair reading the first part - God is who He says He is and God can do what He says He can do!!! At least once a day I find myself repeating one of those precious 5 statements of faith outloud and claiming it over a situation. God is so faithful! He delights in you! He loves you dearly, and so do I!!!*
1 comment:
Elizabeth-This is awesome! I am saving this one in my reference files because I'm sure I will need good examples examples and a gentle reminder of how I should act for years to come. Keep up the great work. This blog continues to brighten my day! Kay
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