Faith: Forward Action in the Heart
Mar 09, 2022Those of us who have been in The Church for any length of time are likely to be fluent in the language of Christianese. When asked how we are doing, blessed and highly favored rolls off our tongue with little thought. Favor ain’t fair. When blessings go up, praises come down! So on and so forth, our colloquialisms fill the atmosphere with hope in the Lord’s unending goodness.
We stand steadfast and unmovable on Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen,” because it is understood that we are to walk by faith and not by sight as written in 2 Corinthians 5:7. But that’s just it. Do we stand or do we walk? The heart of the matter - the nitty gritty of this life of faith - is if our belief in the integrity of God’s Word is strong enough for us to walk faith out. You see, as free as salvation is, walking by faith is costly. What propels us to keep moving forward when the going gets tough?
faith /fāTH/ (noun) - strong persuasion; complete confidence in someone or something; a firm conviction producing the full acknowledgement of God’s revelation or truth
We are one Body with many members but let us temporarily set aside “us” and “we” to search our hearts individually. Ask yourself:
- Am I fully persuaded regarding the truth of God’s word toward me? (Jeremiah 29:11)
- Do I wholeheartedly believe that His promises are backed by “yes” and “amen”? (2 Corinthians 1:20)
- Will I walk by faith as His Word accomplishes all that it was sent to do? (Isaiah 55:11)
Faith is a strong persuasion; complete confidence; firm conviction. As the revelation of God’s truth takes root in our hearts, we begin to place on foot in front of the other. Maybe we do not all break into an all out faith run, but we stride in assurance that we can trust that which has been spoken.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
The Word says what it says. Therefore, anything not of faith is not of God. I know that is a hard pill to swallow but it’s true. Sin is choosing to not operate in faith. Fear, which is a type of sin because we are told to fear not, comes to work against faith. Disobedience veiled as caution or common sense or awaiting the umpteenth confirmation is displeasing to God and, thus, sin.
But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (James 2:18)
Obedience is evidence of our F.A.I.T.H. When our trust rests in the truth of God’s character, it produces forward action in the heart. And where the heart goes the life will follow.
Walking is a deliberate act of movement that shifts us from Point A to Point B; so is faith. Faith in action is the visual representation of the Christian’s belief in God’s Word. Our everyday actions should propel us forward, never backward. Does that mean life is smooth sailing? That it does not! However, what is occurring around us does not negate what God has spoken over us. His truth is unchanging which means it is not only sturdy enough to stand on, you can walk on it… by faith.
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