To put our best faith forward, we must first have clarity in what or whom we have place our faith. Last month we defined faith and discussed the disciple Thomas’ journey to faith in the resurrection of Jesus. This month let’s talk about putting our faith into action. 

Faith is basically a firm conviction in some reality that you cannot readily prove. We often think of faith in the context of established religions, but faith shows up in many other aspects of life. In what or in whom do you have faith? 

Maybe you have faith in a social policy, the government or in the pure-hearted actions of people (e.g. politicians or even pastors). Maybe you have faith in the stability of your income, the longevity of your employer, or the long-term value of the dollars in your bank account. Perhaps this month you have faith that your favorite basketball team will go all the way. Wherever you have placed your faith, would your checkbook, calendar, or social media accounts attest to that faith? 

The point is that when you have genuine faith in something or someone, it shows. Afterall, if you aren’t willing to put your faith in action, is it really faith? James, the half-brother of Jesus, would say “no.” 

I have been to the Grand Canyon West Skywalk in Arizona. This is a glass horseshoe-shaped bridge that cantilevers out 70 feet from the rim and 4,000 feet above the floor of the Grand Canyon. It is both stunning and terrifying. While possibly the best view of the Grand Canyon, it takes some serious faith in modern engineering to step out onto this attraction. I demonstrated my faith that the bridge was indeed stable and safe when I walked out on it, felt the beautiful canyon breeze, and took a few stunning pictures.

Similarly, our faith in God is demonstrated by our actions, what the half-brother of Jesus called “works.” He said, “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). Keep in mind that while our actions demonstrate in what our faith lies, our “works” don’t earn forgiveness of our sins or a place in heaven. When we have genuine faith, it is genuinely demonstrated by how we live, where we spend our resources, and what we value.

Many years ago I worked in an office of about 25 people, of which I was the only Christian. Not only did my colleagues not share my faith, but they were often vocal about their atheist, humanistic and spiritist beliefs as well as their disdain for Christians. I was kind and friendly to them all, worked hard at my job, and decided it best to keep my Christian faith to myself. One day I noticed everyone was gathering their coats and heading to the door. I started to wonder if I was forgetting an important meeting when one of them came to my desk and said that they were all going to lunch. She said I was welcomed to join them, but it was a fundraiser for a pro-abortion group, and they didn’t invite me because they assumed I would not be interested in supporting the cause. I was never so happy to not be invited to lunch! I had naïvely thought that if I didn’t tell them I was a Christian, they would never know. Now I know better. I didn’t have to tell them; I apparently gave them plenty of other clues.

Is your faith in God dead or alive and well? Does your day-to-day life (including your calendar, wallet, and social media account)

demonstrate your convictions about God, Jesus, and Jesus’ glorious resurrection? Would your friends and family acknowledge that, albeit imperfect, you have a heart toward loving and serving others? Does your language and humor expose your heart’s true allegiance?

This month, give some serious thought to how you are putting your faith into action. If someone observed your actions, would s/he really know in what you have placed your faith?

Put your best faith forward, in action!