Being Faithful With Our Faith (Part 5)
James challenges us with a question that cuts straight to the heart of Christian living: “What does it profit… if someone says he has faith but does not have works?”(James 2:14). Words alone are hollow when they are not accompanied by action. Faith, when genuine, naturally expresses itself in the way we treat others, the way we respond to needs, and the way we endure trials. Scripture never presents faith as a private sentiment tucked away in the heart; it is a living trust in Christ that becomes visible through obedience, compassion, and perseverance. Jesus Himself said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
Our works do not save us, but they reveal the One who does.
If the Hebrew writer is right—and he is—that “without faith it is impossible to please God,” then the world around us desperately needs to see what real, God‑pleasing faith looks like. Many people will never read a Bible before they read our lives. They watch how we respond to hardship, how we treat the overlooked, how we speak to the hurting, and how we carry ourselves when life presses in. When we reach out with the gospel, when we offer help instead of empty words, when we endure trials with a quiet confidence in Christ, we are showing the world a faith that is alive. Our actions become a testimony that Jesus is not merely an idea but a living Savior who transforms hearts.
A simple story illustrates this well. A man once noticed his elderly neighbor struggling to carry groceries up her steps. He felt compassion, but he was tired, running late, and told himself, “I’ll help her next time.” Weeks passed, and he continued to wave politely from his driveway, always meaning to help but never acting. One morning, an ambulance arrived at her home. She had slipped on the steps while carrying her bags alone. As he watched the paramedics load her into the vehicle, his heart sank. His intentions had been kind, but intentions never carried a single bag. Later, he told a friend, “I realized that day that good thoughts don’t change the world—only good actions do.” His regret became a turning point, and from then on, he made it a habit to look for ways to serve, not just think about serving.
Our faith is meant to be seen—not for our glory, but for God’s. When we act in love, when we serve without being asked, when we forgive freely, when we stand firm in trials, we are painting a picture of Christ for a watching world. A living faith is a shining faith, and a shining faith draws people to the Savior who first loved us.
Photo: doungtepro - Pixabay.com
---