For centuries, Christians from differing backgrounds have debated which is more important to God: our faith or our works? But the Bible doesn’t favor one over the other—it’s not an “either/or” situation. It’s a “both/and” situation. In fact, Scripture is clear: Faith without works is dead.
James 2:26 tells us,
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
I am a spirit, I have a soul, and I live in a physical body. Now when you see me speak, you see my body being animated by my spirit. But the moment my spirit–the real me–leaves my body, my body will be dead. And just as the body without the spirit is dead, faith without works is also dead.
But God wants your faith to be alive, and He wants it to grow. In fact, the only kind of lifestyle that pleases God is a lifestyle of faith (see Hebrews 11:6). Your actions should align with your beliefs in every area of life, be it relationships, handling money, worship, or work. Then, people will see your faith by what you do.
Perhaps you’ve noticed, as I have, that there are many Christians who have heard over and over what God’s Word says but they’ve never acted upon it. Their faith really isn’t much stronger than when they started following Jesus.
Growing in your Christian walk means growing your faith. And to exercise your faith you have to get out there and do something.
Consider the story of Noah. In Hebrews 11, we’re told that he is one of the great examples of faith. By faith, Noah prepared an ark, being warned of things “not yet seen,” the Scripture says. Then in Hebrews 11:1, the Bible tells us,
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
That means, if I can see it, I don’t need faith for it.
God told Noah, “It’s going to rain, and you need to build a huge boat.”
Guess what? Noah didn’t argue and he didn’t wait. He got to work. For the next 100 years, Noah built the ark, and he did it by faith. Not because he saw storm clouds rolling up on the horizon. Not because he felt raindrops falling on his head. Not because there was thunder and lightning. No—because God had said, it’s going to rain. Noah by faith began to build the ark. He began to prepare, and he did it for 100 years.
Now some people say, I know God’s going to open the door, and I’ll move when He opens the door. Why would He open the door if you don’t take any steps of faith to prepare?
My friend, faith prepares. Faith involves action. Noah saved himself and his family because he acted in faith. When God tells you something, whether you can see evidence or not, it’s critical to respond and act upon it. That is simple faith.
What has God asked you to do by faith? And what steps can you take today to prepare for it? Don’t wait a minute longer—start stepping out in faith today and you’ll be amazed at what you see God do!
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