“Acts of faith”
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone (James 2:17).
As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, our Christian journey begins from a place of believing, but our call is to go beyond this. This is what the Bible has to say: “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:19). Sadly, the Bible describes the faith of those who do not go past the place of “believing” as lifeless, and lifeless faith has no rewards attached to it.
The book of James talks about three ways our faith can come alive and produce fruit.
Acts of mercy: “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food” (James 2:15). Genuine faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will always express itself through acts of mercy, and especially to those in the household of God. “Let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Gal. 6:10).
Acts of obedience: “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?” (James 2:21). Abraham, our father in the faith, was justified not by what he heard but by how he responded to what he heard. Many times we emphasize the importance of hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit, but the voice of the Holy Spirit will be of no benefit if we do not respond by acting on what we hear. Obedience will bring our faith to life.
Acts of courage: “Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?” (James 2:25). Rahab, a harlot, chose to risk her life and the life of her own family when she hid the spies. It was an act of faith that required great courage. Rahab’s act of faith not only preserved her life and the life of her family, but her reward was so great that she was given a place in the very genealogy of Christ. Unusual faith carries with it unusual rewards.
As we live our lives believing everything the Lord Jesus has done for us, may we always make room for our faith to express itself and may we be known as ones whose faith was alive and active.
Declaration: I will live as one whose faith will always find a way to express itself. The faith that I have will never be dormant but will be alive and full of life.
Scripture: First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world (Romans 1:8).