Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
Ephesians 6:10
Soon after my dad died, my mother began withdrawing from friends. She began staying home more frequently and, eventually, began lying on the couch all day. I once said to her, “Mom, Dad died, and you quit living.” She agreed but refused to change. The lack of physical activity made her body so weak that she fell several times. A physical and spiritual truth is: Inactivity causes weakness, which often results in stumbling. Ceasing to walk by faith results in spiritual weakness that leads to stumbling.
Throughout Hebrews 11, faith is connected with action words: By faith Noah…built an ark…By faith Abraham…obeyed and went…By faith Isaac blessed…By faith Moses’ parents hid him…etc. (Hebrews 11:7, 8, 20, 23). The faith of these heroes was active faith. Salvation comes through faith alone, but deeds prove the reality of living faith. Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead…As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead (James 2:17, 26).
You and I come to Jesus by grace through the gift of faith (Ephesians 2:8). However, that’s not the end of our faith; it’s the beginning. God desires that we walk by faith daily. So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness (Colossians 2:6-7).
What action words can be connected with your faith? Are you testifying of Jesus, accepting His call to ministry, giving sacrificially, or teaching the Word? In other words, are you stepping out in faith daily and doing what God asks? Or is your faith inactive and, therefore, weak? Do you refuse to obey without confidence in yourself? Do you refuse to move forward until your questions are answered? Why not test God’s promises? Step out in faith and you will behold the faithful God.
Lord, give me active faith that is demonstrated by what I do, as well as by what I say.
Jan Burkhart
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