I would always hear Christians say “faith without works is dead” and though I joined them in saying it, I never really understood what it meant (hey! Don’t judge me). When I began my walk with the Lord, I couldn’t for the life of me understand exactly what that meant and how it applies to me, or if it even applies to me in any season of my life. I tried reading several books on the topic of faith but I still couldn’t grasp it. I even spoke to a friend about it but we couldn’t conclude on it

I struggled with feelings and thoughts that told me that I wasn’t doing enough to get God to work on my behalf. I felt scared that what if I’m not “working” hard enough for God to answer my prayer? Why does it seem like everyone is all of a sudden quoting that particular scripture, “faith without works is dead” (James 2:20)?

I wondered, are they trying to tell me something? Is God trying to tell me that my faith is not enough? I thought maybe that is God telling me that I needed to do more for my faith to work. I had all these different thoughts that were driving me crazy. That was when I decided enough! It’s time to take it to the Lord in prayer for revelation. (I know, I know, I should have done this in the very first place, but you know sometimes we always think we can figure it out all on our own).

The truth is that God expects us to put action to our faith. Some may say “well I thought the bible says it is not by our works lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9), and you will be right. Confusing? I know but don’t worry, it becomes clearer. You see, every miracle that God performs in our lives requires us to partner with Him in bringing that miracle to fruition. This goes back to what we previously discussed in My Part in God’s Miracles.

When we are believing in God for certain breakthroughs and having faith that it will come to pass, we are not just supposed to sit around, fold our hands, and wait for the breakthrough to land on our laps. No! We must put our faith to work. Your actions tell God that you are a ready and willing recipient of the miracle and blessings.

Look at it this way: say for instance you are sitting down in the living room watching television and all of a sudden you want some ice cream, sounds yummy right, sorry I digress, let’s continue. So you are watching your favorite show on television and all of a sudden you get a craving for some late night ice-cream. Well the ice-cream is in the freezer all the way in the kitchen but here you are in the living room.

Question: would you just sit there and wish the ice-cream to the living room? You see, the desire for the ice cream is there, and so is the provision for it; however, it will require you to do some work to get it and enjoy it. You would actually need to get off the couch, walk to the kitchen, grab a spoon and a plate, and dish yourself some ice-cream, and maybe add some sprinkles or nuts as well. If you choose to sit there and keep wishing for the ice cream to come to you, you might just sit there forever. Hence, desire without work is dead, useless; it leads to nowhere, and in the same sense, that is how faith works.

In another post, we discussed A Day in the Life of Rahab. Rahab is the prostitute who saved the spies from Israel and ended up in the lineage of Jesus (wow!). You should read the post, it’s a great read. Rahab is an example of someone putting action to their faith. She went against all odds, even putting her life at risk in order to save herself and her family. She backed her faith in the God of Israel with her actions!

Some Practical Ways to Take Actions of Faith

1. One way of putting your faith to work is by acting and speaking as though what you are praying to God for has already been granted to you.
   
   For example, let’s say that you believe in God for a new car, have you cleaned out your garage for the new car? How are you taking care of your current car? Is it messy? What if you are believing God for financial increase. Are you currently responsible with the money you have or are you just squandering it on non-essential things? Are you diligent and disciplined with money?
   
   Or saying things like “Lord, thank You for my brand new car”; “I declare that my account is overflowing with funds and I have more than enough to bless others.” Romans 4:17 (TLB translation) says God speaks of future events with as much certainty as though they were already past. We are to do the same, speak what you want into existence.
   
   Basically, for God to bless you with what you are asking for, you have to show Him that you are ready to receive it. Your current actions show Him whether you are matured enough and will be responsible for whatever it is that He will bless you with.
   
   Scripture says
   
   

   “Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen” (Hebrews 11:1 TPT).

   
   When you release your faith by speaking things that are not as though they are, you are basically saying Lord, I trust and believe You can and will do XYZ.
2. When you are praying about a specific situation and God gives you an instruction or command regarding what to do in that situation and you obey the instruction, that is also putting your faith to work or action to your faith. “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land” (Isaiah 1:19 ESV).
3. When you go on a fast led by the Holy Spirit or sow a seed offering into someone or something, that is also putting your faith to work.

The key to putting your faith to work is to be sensitive to what the Lord is asking you to do at that time or in that season of your life. It could be anywhere from standing still to singing praises to sowing seeds of faith to forgiving someone or praying for someone; whatever it may be, as long as you obey His instructions and do what He has asked you to do, that is putting your faith to work. These are just a few examples.

So when you are praying and believing in God for a miracle or blessing, just don’t say “yes I have faith and then sit around and do nothing” but ask yourself, what actions am I putting towards my faith? As you release your faith and back it up with actions, in no time you will see God move on your behalf in those situations that trouble you, you will receive the blessings of the Lord, and your joy will be complete.

Until next time, remember, keep your hope in God for He loves you and has promised to never leave you nor forsake you!

Be sure to leave a comment and also read: How God Changes Our Situations