When I was a new believer in Christ and was trying to understand the faith concept, I believed that faith was trusting God for something without the smallest iota of doubt in the process. So when I had even the smallest of doubts, I believed that negated my faith. I also believed that once you had faith you did not need to do anything, all you had to do was keep praying and keep waiting; God through scriptures taught me otherwise.
I remember all the struggles I had trying to determine if I had faith or not. Many have these same issues and because they know that they must believe God without wavering, they are quick to assume they are disqualified whenever they falter in their faith.
How then do we establish faith? How do we prove this is faith? How do we know faith? By corresponding actions! James 2:26 – “for as the body without the spirit is dead so faith without works is dead also”. It’s not enough to say I have faith; you must consciously take action on the basis of that faith. Once you do that, faith is made perfect. James 2: 22 “… by works faith was made perfect”.
Act your faith. Put your faith to work. Abraham believed God and he sacrificed Isaac; Joseph believed God and gave instructions concerning his bones; Noah believed God and he built an ark. Their actions affirmed their faith and it was accounted to them as righteousness. Don’t spend time debating with the devil, just act your faith.
When you don’t act your faith you won’t get results. We are partakers with God. That means together with God we make things happen. So it’s not just enough to believe, we must take actions that corresponds to our faith. If you have faith for healing, don’t remain on the bed, get up and walk. If you believe God for a house, then begin to shop for one and start putting money aside towards the payment. By taking action you perfect faith. That’s why James said, I will show you my faith by my works.
And if it appears you doubt, override it by actions that are in tandem with the faith you desire. I like the story of Jesus and Peter. Luke 5:4-6 “and he said to Simeon, launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch. But Simeon answered and said to him, Master we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net”. It’s like saying I don’t really believe this will work, but because you have said it I will act. And his actions brought him results. We don’t work by feelings, so ignore whatever doubt you feel and act your faith. For every “but” of doubt let there be a corresponding “nevertheless” in actions.
Friends act your faith today. Don’t be passive in faith. Be active in it. If you believe God for something, establish it by corresponding actions. “Whosoever hears these sayings of mine and doeth them the same is blessed in his deeds”.
Emmanuel Aladenusi
