Faith in Action: True Belief Leads to Works
Faith Without Works is Dead
James 2:17-24 (NIV)
17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?
21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.
24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
Faith is not just a concept or belief—it is something that should be alive, moving, and working. James makes it clear that faith is incomplete without action. Even demons believe in God, and yet their belief doesn’t lead to obedience or righteousness—it only leads to fear. If our faith in God does not move us to action, then we must ask ourselves: is it truly faith at all?
The example of Abraham demonstrates that faith is not merely intellectual agreement but a deep, unwavering trust that results in obedience. Abraham was counted as righteous because his faith was made evident through his actions. His belief was not just something he spoke about—it was something he lived out.
If you claim to believe in God but do not obey Him or take steps to live out your faith, then your belief is ineffective and dead. Even the demons believe—and they tremble. But mere belief without obedience puts us in a worse place than even the demons, because they at least recognize God’s power and respond accordingly.
Hearing vs. Doing
Romans 2:13 (NIV)
For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.
It is not enough to listen to sermons, read the Bible, or talk about faith. Righteousness comes from doing what God commands. When we truly love God, we demonstrate it through our actions. A faith that does not lead to obedience is hollow and meaningless. It is in living out God’s commands that we show we truly belong to Him.
Seeking First the Kingdom
Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
This verse is often quoted, but what does it truly mean? Seeking first the kingdom of God means prioritizing spiritual matters over worldly concerns. It means making God the center of our lives, trusting Him to provide for our needs as we pursue righteousness.
As explained in Bible Hub:
"Seeking the kingdom first implies prioritizing spiritual matters over material needs."
"Righteousness in this context refers to living in a way that is consistent with God's standards and character. It involves a transformation of the heart and mind, leading to actions that reflect God's holiness."
God promises that when we put Him first—when we focus on doing His will and living according to His commands—He will take care of our needs. This doesn’t mean that life will be free of struggles, but it means that our foundation will be firm, and our lives will be guided by His divine purpose.
Joyce Meyer puts it this way:
"If you take care of God's business, He'll take care of yours."
So, what exactly does God want us to do? How can we actively live out our faith? Below is a list of things that Jesusspecifically commands us to do.
An Extensive List of Things Jesus Tells Us to Do
Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37)
Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39)
Repent and believe the Gospel (Mark 1:15)
Seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33)
Do to others as you would have them do to you (Luke 6:31)
Forgive others so that you will be forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15)
Take up your cross and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23)
Make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19)
Let your light shine before others (Matthew 5:16)
Do not judge hypocritically (Matthew 7:1-5)
Be born again (John 3:3-7)
Abide in Christ (remain in Him) (John 15:4-5)
Give to the poor and needy (Luke 12:33)
Pray without ceasing (Luke 18:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Be humble and serve others (Matthew 23:11-12)
Do not worry, trust God for your needs (Matthew 6:25-34)
Keep your word; let your 'yes' be 'yes' and 'no' be 'no' (Matthew 5:37)
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44)
Be merciful, just as God is merciful (Luke 6:36)
Store up treasures in heaven, not on earth (Matthew 6:19-20)
Do not fear those who can only harm the body; fear God (Matthew 10:28)
Deny yourself and follow Jesus daily (Luke 9:23)
Be a servant of all (Mark 9:35)
Watch and be ready for Christ’s return (Matthew 24:42)
Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and care for the sick (Matthew 25:35-36)
Do not let your hearts be troubled; trust in Jesus (John 14:1)
Keep His commandments if you love Him (John 14:15)
Be faithful with what God has given you (Matthew 25:14-30)
Proclaim the Gospel to all creation (Mark 16:15)
Take care of widows and orphans (James 1:27)
Be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-14)
Have faith in God and do not doubt (Mark 11:22-24)
Help carry each other's burdens (Galatians 6:2)
Honor your father and mother (Matthew 19:19)
Remain faithful even unto death (Revelation 2:10)
This list is not exhaustive, but it gives a clear picture of what Jesus expects from us as His followers. The Christian life is not just about believing—it is about acting on that belief. True faith is active, obedient, and full of love.
If we truly follow Jesus, our faith should be visible in our everyday actions. Let us not just be hearers of the Word but doers as well.
