It's easier said than done. That little saying applies to many areas of life, but especially the Christian life. It's easy enough to "talk the talk", but to "walk the walk" is the real test.

The Book of James inseparably connects faith and works. Genuine faith is evidenced by works - the "talk" is seen through the "walk". Faith is essentially a decision about a particular action or direction, and taking that action step perfects the decision of faith.

"You see that faith was working with his (Abraham's) works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected" (James 2:22)

"faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. " (James 2:17)

Faith expresses itself in action. The story is told of the tightrope walker who had stretched a cable across the the mighty Niagara River near the Falls. He planned to push a wheelbarrow across and asked the crowd if they believed that he could do it. Apparently one man seemed especially enthusiastic about the prospects and so the daredevil asked again if the man truly believed he could do it. After again hearing his confident assertion, the daredevil said, "Then get in the wheelbarrow". Faith is only real when it is evidenced by action.

Faith without works is no more possible than for our bodies to have life without breath:

"For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead." (James 2:26)

Abraham is mentioned as one of the great examples of faith. We know of his faith because it was evidenced by works. When called of God to a land that God would give him, he pulled up stakes and moved without knowing exactly where he was going. When he was asked to offer his only son as a sacrifice, he took action and potentially offered him, even though God stopped him first.

Taking action is important, but first hearing the "voice of faith" is a vital prerequisite. What is God calling you to consider as a step of faith? Is there a particular ministry task that you sense He has for you that you feel ill-equipped for? Is there a neighbor or coworker that you sense He would have you speak the Gospel message to? Is he nudging you to forgo an hour of sleep so that you can rise early to meet with Him in prayer and Bible study?

Faith involves hearing the Lord's voice, but faith truly becomes faith when we act. May we hear the voice of faith today and validate it's reality through action.


Steve