Faith is a fundamental aspect of Christian living. Not only is it essential to salvation, but also crucial to Christian growth. However, many Christians find it hard to put their faith into action. This leads to stagnation and fruitlessness in their Christian walk. Galatians 3:10-14 emphasizes the importance of faith in the Christian life, raising the question, can Faith save you? The answer lies in the dynamic duo of Faith and Works, which forms the backbone of Christian living.
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What’s the Bible Say About Can Faith Save You?
10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them.” 11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.” 12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “He who practices them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
In this week’s blog post, I delve into the topic of Faith and Works and how they interact in Christian living. Christians face challenges in putting their faith into action, and we will explore ways to overcome them. By providing practical steps and relying on the Holy Spirit, I hope to inspire and encourage you to put your faith into action.
The Problem of Inaction
Although faith is vital in Christian living, some Christians struggle to put their faith into action. There are many things that can cause this struggle. But they all lead to a big problem: inaction. Fear and busyness are common obstacles to taking action. Furthermore, struggles can restrict your growth and impede evangelism.
Another way you may struggle to put faith into action is by doubting your abilities to carry out God’s will. Yet, another could be being too comfortable in your routine and not moving out of your comfort zone. Additionally, feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work and effort required can be a hindrance. Allowing distractions to take away your focus from God’s calling is a common challenge. Lastly, a lack of knowledge or understanding about the practical application of your faith can be a stumbling block.
The Importance of Action
- Faith is demonstrated through obedience (Hebrews 11:8). Remember when God told Abraham to leave his country and “go”? Without hesitation, Abraham obeyed. Remember how I’ve talked about “Churchians”? Since you don’t want to be categorized with them, you need to “put up or shut up” with your Christian walk. So, how about next time a girl, or guy, who is purposefully provocatively dressed walks by, you don’t gawk at them?
- When you obey God, your faith grows (James 2:22). As you continually follow God’s commands, your trust and dependence on Him deepen and strengthen. Ultimately, this leads to the growth and maturation of your faith.
- When people see your actions, they are drawn to Christ (Matthew 5:16). Jesus said that when you do good works (letting your light shine before men) it will (not maybe) cause God to be glorified.
- You must practice what you believe because faith without works is dead (James 2:26). By obeying God, your faith experiences growth, as you cultivate trust and dependence on Him. However, instead of being perceived as a “Churchian,” you can live out authentic faith. In other words, Practice What You Preach.
The Role of Works
As a natural response to true faith, works contribute to Christian growth and maturity. Furthermore, Romans 12:2 states that “proving what the will of God is” is the result of transforming our minds. Additionally, through obedience, Christians can bear fruit and show others a tangible representation of their faith (John 15:16).
As stated in James 2:17., genuine faith results in action. Works are evidence of faith, James 2:18. As Christians, part of our growth and maturation is the application of faith, combined with works. Ephesians 2:10 says we were created to do good works, which were prepared in advance for us.
Overcoming Obstacles
- Fear – Fear can prevent action by causing doubt and worry. Ok, so I gotta ask… What are you afraid of? Trust in God’s promises (Ps 23:4). Just rely on His power (2 Tim 1:7).
- Busyness – Do you feel like you’re running around like a chicken with its head cut off? The world system wants you to be too busy. But God wants you to be busy enough. So prioritize and manage time effectively (Col 3:23-24). Oh, and recognize that rest is important too (Ex 20:8-10).
- Doubt in your abilities – Thankfully the Christian life is not about your abilities! Thankfully, it is all about God’s abilities. Trust in God’s strength (Phil 4:13) and guidance (Prov 3:5-6), not my own abilities.
- Too comfortable in your routine – Do you do the same stuff day in and day out? Sometimes you need to shake things up. Step outside your comfort zone, with faith of course (Heb 11:6). Then watch God do ‘God’ stuff. (Ephesians 3:20, Psalm 46:10).
- Feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work – Instead of counting on your ability to get it all done, rest on God’s strength (Ps 121:1-2). And don’t forget to persevere (Gal 6:9). Observe how God achieves His purpose, through you..
- Allowing distractions – How much social media are you involved with? Do you spend too much time on entertainment? If so, resist the temptation (James 4:7) and strive for daily renewal of spiritual focus (Rom 12:2).
- Lack of practical application – Do you feel you need practice? Maybe you aren’t sure how to do something. Seek wisdom and guidance from God’s Word (Ps 119:105). Don’t forget to find a few Christian mentors (Prov 11:14).
Saved By Faith Verses
Here are a few verses to ponder as you meditate on being saved by faith alone verses.
- Romans 3:24 – “being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.”
- Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
- Titus 3:5 – “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.”
- Galatians 2:16 – “Nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.”
- 2 Timothy 1:9 – “Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.”
Conclusion
Do you struggle to put your faith into action? What fears or doubts seem to hold you back? Are you too comfortable in your routine to step out in faith? Busyness and distractions can hinder growth. Do busyness and distractions consume too much of your time and energy? Think and pray about these questions.
How can you put your genuine faith into positive action? What can you do to contribute to your Christian growth and maturity? Do you feel like your faith is stagnant because you lack practical application?
Don’t let your fears, doubts, and distractions limit your faith and hinder evangelism. Overcome your obstacles by seeking wisdom and guidance from God’s Word and finding Christian mentors. Prioritize and manage your time effectively, resting in God’s strength, not your own.
Demonstrate your faith through obedience and show others a tangible representation. How can your actions draw others to Christ? Don’t let your faith be dead, put it into action with works. Remember, you were created to do good works, prepared in advance for you.
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Hello twicsy,
Thank you for your kind words. It encourages me to keep going.
I look forward to hearing more from you!
In Christ,
DonR
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Hi Bets,
I am glad you are enjoying the blog. There is more to come 🙂
As for tips, I would first say reading blogs similar to yours is a good thing. That can give you insight into the future of yours. I would never recommend to anyone that they copy others. I believe success comes when you are truly you. Another piece of advice is that I don’t believe you need to pay for any courses or “gurus” to help you grow a channel. There is a plethora of free, good advice available.
Again, thanks for reading. It is a blessing to me to hear from folks who are enjoying my efforts. I pray God uses this to draw you closer to Him.
In Christ,
DonR
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Hey Heather,
Thanks for stopping by again! Hope all is well. I apreciate the feedback!
DonR
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Hey Gilda,
Thanks for the comment. And thanks for reading 🙂
As for spam, yes, there is so much. Unfortunately there is no automated way I have discovered yet.
I am trying a few tricks to identify easier.
Thaks,
Don
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