As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. – (James 2:26, NIV)
A person’s body that does not have a spirit is dead. It is the same with faith – faith that does nothing is dead! – (James 2:26, ERV)
Removing action from faith is like removing breath from a body. All you have left is a corpse. – (James 2:26, VOICE)
Faith goes beyond simply believing. Without action, it is meaningless. True faith compels us to move forward in trust, believing that what God has promised, He will do. We think little about hopping in our car and driving to our destination, for we have faith that it will take us from point A to B and back again. With God, our faith is the belief in what we cannot see, yet strengthens, encourages, directs and corrects us in the ways we are meant to go. Faith in God moves us to not only worship and spend time in His word, but it leads us to love and move and give, even when it does not make sense. If we say that we believe but do not demonstrate any evidence of our faith, it is meaningless; for even the devil believes God exists. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in His love as He gives us strength to put into action the faith that He solidifies within us.
Faith’s our foundation,
of all that is good;
He teaches us how,
to do what we should.
God leads us in love,
so we do the same;
and strengthens our hearts,
to honor His Name.
Show us, Lord Jesus,
throughout each new day;
how to live out love,
and walk in Your way.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that without faith it is impossible to please You, and faith is nothing without acting upon it. Thank You that Jesus showed us what it is to live out faith in tangible ways. Forgive us for the times that we do not demonstrate the faith we know through our words and deeds. Teach us to trust You more so that all that we say and do would bring glory to You. Show us how to love those around us in ways that honor You and make Your heart tangible. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek and trust You to lead us to live out our faith. Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. – Hebrews 11:6
Revelations In Writing 