Faith In Action

Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.

James 1:22 msg

Our faith is tested every day, whether in small ways or more impactful ways such as ongoing depression. When we are tested, we demonstrate by our actions if we truly believe what we say about God. We prove whether we can walk the talk.

James 2:17 states, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” Another way of expressing this is that faith all by itself is dormant or inactive, like a seed. We might believe that with proper planting and nutrition, the seed will sprout and grow, but actually planting and watering the seed are the actions that back up our belief.

For those of us who struggle with depression, we might be in the phase between the belief and the action. Or we may have watered our healing seed and are just waiting for it to bud and leaf. Either way, to see what God has planned for us on this journey, we must put our faith into action. Not only must we continue to believe that God is good and still in control, we must also act on our faith. We must do our part and water our seeds.

Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.

Oswald Chambers

True faith manifests itself through our actions.

Francis Chan

A faith that hasn’t been tested can’t be trusted.

Adrian Rogers

For Further Reflection

Hebrews 11:1–40; James 2:14–17; 2 Corinthians 5:7

Today’s Prayer

Lord, I know that I can trust you and believe in you. When I feel like you are prompting me in a certain direction, please help me to act on that prompting, knowing that you will lead me. Amen.