Steady Your Faith With Action

The relationship between faith and works has been a topic of curiosity in religious and non-religious conversations, alike. While faith is the foundation of our relationship with God, the role of works in demonstrating and living out that faith is even more important. The scriptures provide clear guidance on this matter, emphasizing that genuine faith is accompanied by action. With this in mind,  we have the concept of “faith without works”. Let’s examine thoughts and references that shed light on this vital topic.

Faith With Works is Alive
One of the most direct teachings on faith and works comes from the book of James. In James 2:14-17, the apostle writes: “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

James makes it clear that faith, when accompanied by action, has life and effectiveness. True faith is not merely a mental assent to certain truths; it is a living, active force that compels us to love and serve others.

Examples of Faith
Abraham and Rahab are examples of Faith in Action. James goes on to use them to illustrate his point about faith. First, how Abraham demonstrated his faith by obeying God’s command to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice (James 2:21-23). Abraham’s willingness to act showed that his belief in God was genuine and alive.

Second, James mentions Rahab, the prostitute who protected the Israelite spies in Jericho (James 2:25). Her actions, motivated by faith, not only saved her life but also secured her a place in the lineage of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5). Both Abraham and Rahab exemplify how true faith is accompanied by corresponding action to produce the desired results.

Salvation through Faith
While James focuses on the necessity of works as evidence of faith, the apostle Paul emphasizes that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, Paul also makes it clear that we are “created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). In other words, while works do not earn us salvation, they are the natural outcome of a life transformed by faith. Thus, we demonstrate our belief that we are saved by living a righteous lifestyle.

Jesus’ and Faith
Jesus Himself taught that true faith is demonstrated through obedience and action. In Matthew 7:21, He says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Jesus emphasizes that mere words or professions of faith are not enough; what matters is living out that faith through obedience to God’s will.

Effective Faith
Faith with works and endurance is the path to completion and effectiveness in faith. The scriptures are consistent in noting that genuine faith and trust in God is marked by not standing alone but is accompanied by aligned actions to produce the desired results God wants. Whether it is through serving others, obeying God’s commands, or living a life of love and compassion, our works are the visible expression of our faith. As James succinctly puts it, “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17). Let us avoid our faith getting buried for cause of death being stagnation. Strive to live out faith in tangible ways, bringing glory to God and demonstrating His love to the world. Remember that our faith is not just a private belief but a call to action. May we be inspired by the examples of Abraham, Rahab, and countless others who have shown us what it means to live a life of faith that works.

Reflection Questions

1) How can you demonstrate your faith through actions in your daily life?

2) Are there areas in your life where faith needs to be accompanied by works?

3) How can you encourage others to live out their faith in practical ways?

(Scripture References: James 2:14-25; Ephesians 2:8-10; Matthew 7:21; Genesis 22:1-18; Joshua 2:1-24)

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