Faith in Action
Do you live out your faith so others are changed?
My grandma put her faith in action in practical ways. She was a bold Mennonite woman who was willing to get out of her comfort zone to follow God. Watch this short video where I share her story:
I think about how much courage it took for my grandmother to take her chicken noodle soup over to some of the neighbors who were known bootleggers. She boldly shared her faith with men and women who were not walking with God. To this day, I still remember Fred who sat at my grandparents table reading the newspaper and cursing. He was one that found welcome in their home of restoration and healing.
When a girl from their conservative home town got pregnant, Grandma hosted their wedding in her backyard. She then led the new husband to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. I know this, because this young man grew to be my bible school teacher who led me to Christ. He shared how he was a part of an all-night prayer meetings where my grandma and grandpa cried out for the salvation of their family and friends.
Hearing these stories challenge me to put my faith in action. It’s not enough to go to church on Sunday or read the Bible if it doesn’t impact our actions.
The Bible says,
“Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener
when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other.
Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act
are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away,
and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.
But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God
—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it,
is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action.
That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.”
Act On What You Hear
Faith requires more than mental agreement. Faith requires action. Try this simple exercise. After reading the Bible, take a moment to clear your mind. Open up your hands in a gesture to receive, and close your eyes to concentrate. Ask yourself these questions:
- What specific part of God’s written word do I need to apply to my life?
- What is God calling me to do today?
- Is there anything that He has told me to do, but I have not fully obeyed?
- Is there anyone that God wants me to serve today?
As you learn to listen to God’s voice, He will lead you and guide you. You will no longer just read the Bible, you will live out what the Bible says. Make your faith real, so that the message of Jesus Christ is lived out loud.
Putting into action what you hear God saying takes boldness… It’s easy to let things slide… It takes courage to follow through on what God says…
Sue, Thanks for sharing the testimony of your grandmother. It is so true, our faith is nothing unless we give it out to others through our words, actions and love.
Blessings to you today!,
Lisa Murray
You too Lisa. We can learn from the generations that go before us. I pray that you would have a sober clarity about what you are to do today… and that you could walk in joy!
Amazing post, Sue! So inspiring! “Make your faith real, so that the message of JESUS CHRIST is lived out loud.” <— Yes! Love, love, love that! Thank you so much for sharing this! Infinite blessings to you, Love! 🙂
Tai, everything you do and say online lives your faith out loud. Great to connect
Sue, thank you so much for including my blog posts on forgiveness in your #LifeGivingLinkup offerings. What a wonderful grouping of encouraging posts that honor God and help us follow to Christ more faithfully and effectively. I am getting the word out!
Thanks Judith!