Mensa Otabil - Faith is Demonstrated in Action

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So, how can a person know whether he has faith or not? How do we manifest faith? We’ve looked at the fact that faith can move mountains; we’ve examined what faith is, how faith comes, and where to place our faith. Now, we’re looking at how to show our faith. Sometimes faith is seen in a loud or physical exhibition, yes, but not always.

So we’re going to look at how to show our faith. James chapter 2, verses 17 and 18 states, «Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 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.» I like that phrase: «I will show you my faith by my works.» How do you know that a person has faith? For example, how do you know that somebody has faith in a chair? You know he has faith if he sits in the chair. If you tell somebody to sit in the chair and he keeps standing, examining it, trying to figure out whether it can support him, then that person doesn’t have faith in the chair because he’s not acting in a way that shows he has faith in it. If he had faith in the chair, he would simply sit down.

So it is with faith in God; what I do will show that I have faith in Him. Faith must always have what is called corresponding action—something you do that shows you have faith. Many times in the Gospels, you find that Jesus Christ would tell people to do something. He told a paralyzed man to rise, take up your bed, and go. What was he doing? Faith must be demonstrated; faith must have corresponding action. If you believe you are healed, you don’t keep lying down; you rise up, take up your bed, and go. He tells Peter to cast his net on the other side of the ship, even though they had caught no fish all night. He says, «Do it, and you will catch fish.» Peter throws the net and gets fish.

How does he demonstrate his faith? By acting on the word of Jesus. How does the paralyzed man have faith? By acting on the word of Jesus. How do I know that I have faith? How do I show it? There has to be an action you take that shows you have faith. So, every time people have faith, you have to watch what they do. If someone prays, for example, and says, «Oh, I believe God has healed me,» and then, the next time they talk to someone, they say, «Oh, life is so hard; I don’t think I can ever solve this problem,» what they have done is show by their actions that they had no faith in the first place. Because if you believe God healed you the first time, then afterward, you will talk as if you know that God has healed you.

Faith without works is dead; faith without corresponding action is dead. Faith must always be demonstrated. So, as you go through life, think of the promises of God, think of what He has said to you, think of what you believe, and do things that align with your faith. Your faith must have corresponding action. It’s going to be good for you in life; things will turn around for your good. I see greatness in your future, and I trust God that as the days go by, you will walk in the full victory that only Jesus Christ gives. I am Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.