It's the doing that is the determining factor. Sitting in your car in the driveway, with every intention of taking a trip somewhere, doesn't really translate into anything until you start the motor, put the car in gear, and begin the journey. Intention is only good when it becomes action.

"faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself ... For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead." (James 2:17,26)

What we do is proof of the reality of what we believe. Abrahams' faith was evidenced by the action of offering his son on the altar of sacrifice (James 2:21). Belief gave rise to behavior.

Now, it's easy to have a mistaken notion of doing and believing. Some have placed the proverbial cart ahead of the horse. Church attendance, financial giving, charitable deeds, and service are easily viewed as the MEANS to justification. In other words, God must be pleased by all that I do. But, if action doesn't spring from faith, it can easily be misguided. Our good actions aren't the MEANS for justification, but rather the RESULT. Real belief acts. Belief that never acts isn't truly belief, pure and simple.

A friend once told the story of his decision to serve in pastoral ministry. He stated the Jesus became so real to him that he knew he had to do something. He sold his business and his house, and relocated for training and preparation to serve.

Faith doesn't give rise to the same action in every life. Faith plays out every day in a myriad of choices and steps. Decisions to read and study the Bible. To pray. To dare share your faith with an unbeliever. To stand for morality and decency, regardless of popular opinion. To help the helpless. To encourage the discouraged.

Faith that never acts isn't really faith. But, faith that is real bears fruit through deeds done. May there be "faith fruit" in abundance in our lives today.

Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012