by Rex Rouis
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by (corresponding) action, is dead. James 2:17 NIV
A better word for ‘dead’ in the verse above might be ‘dormant,’ ‘unproductive,’ or ‘inoperative.’ Actions are needed bring faith to life. See how these corresponding actions were needed to make their faith come alive and be productive:
TO THE PALSIED MAN CHRIST GAVE THIS COMMAND – But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, I say unto you, Arise, and take up your couch, and go into your house. Luke 5:24.
TO THE MAN WITH THE WITHERED HAND – Stretch forth your hand. Matt. 12:13.
TO THE NOBLEMAN – Go your way; your son lives. John 4:50.
TO THE MAN WITH AN INFIRMITY 38 YEARS – Will you be made whole? John 5:6.
TO THE MAN BORN BLIND – Go; wash in the pool of Siloam. John 9:7.
TO THE WOMAN WITH AN ISSUE OF BLOOD – Who touched me? Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. Luke 8:45-46. (her corresponding action was touching the hem of His garment)
TO THE TEN LEPERS – Go show yourselves unto the priests. Luke 17:14.
Peter received faith to walk on the water when he heard Jesus say, ‘Come.’ But that faith did not come alive until he threw his leg over the side of the boat and started walking. Actions unlock the power resident in faith.
Find and study the promises in the Bible that cover your need. Give yourself to them wholly, and meditate on them until they get deep down inside of you. Spend time with God and listen to Him. Do what He says and make the changes that He requires. Hearing His voice produces faith and obedience to what He says produces the victory.
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the (spoken) word of Christ. Romans 10:17
Therefore, take courage, men, because I believe God that it will be just the way it was told to me. Acts 27:25 Holman Christian Standard Bible
Comments
Don’t ask what others have done for you, but ask what you have done for others
I agree with the same. Faith can move mountains, only we have to mediate the Word of God which is will lead as to uncountable blessings in Jesus Name.
We are in big troubles and lots of problems happening in our life. This passage made me more stronger in Jesus. I believe NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR MY GOD. This time will pass. Hallelujah.
This is good. Many of us don’t activate our faith, or will doubt, which activates fear, ultimately death. Many will have faith like the waves of the sea. And when we are like this, we often give our successes to being perceived as “luck”. Truly, there is no such thing as luck, just inconsistent faith. Thanks again
I believe, I was brought up in church, as the old saying goes: I cut my eye teeth on the backs of church pews.
I have an imfirmaty, I KNOW GOD CAN HEAL, HE’S done it for me before, is it my faith or lack thereof that I AM NOT HEALED? I think I’m believing all that I know how. Yet, I’m still lame. I’ll love God rather or not I ever walk again, I want to walk, dance in the spirit to ONLY GIVE GOD THE GLORY!!
Hi Secenia,
By stripes of Jesus! in Jesus name may you be healed! May you walk and dance and give Him all the glory! š
Thank You!!!… Been reading and studying and it’s all coming together….
Good for you!!
I’m praying to God to please give me a house, pay my bills, help my parents.. What action or actions can I put with my faith for God to bless me with my heart desires?
Josie – You have to find that out yourself. This is not a magic act. You need to find out about God in His word and seek Him. Rex
Do all of the things that you said you would do. Please, do not falter in these things. Do not promise things you cannot do, and do not load up your days to the brim. When you slip in your tasks, do not worry. Just apologize to Gd for having missed that task, and move onto the next thing that you said you would do. He is always there with you, and he will bring a feeling into your body with which you can see the good things he has planned for you.
Here is a beginning point to change your life.
https://youtu.be/b9RaHw6rNdc
Thank God for His Mighty Words that greatly encourages me to put my faith in action.May God richly bless you…
Truly my heart is blessed. But for persons who dont know. We have to read our Bibles n pray and fast…. That helps us to practise faith…
But I enjoyed the article and agree that faith must be put into action for it to become alive.
The use of various versions of Bible’s is a matter of question, like the NIV for example omits ‘Lucifer’ in Isa. 14:12 and replaces it with ‘Morning Star’ which is very dangerous because on Rev.22:16 one of Christ Jesus titles is ‘Morning Star’ plus 1 John 5:7 the Godhead is omitted the AKJV 1611 reads ‘There are three that bear record in heaven – The Father,The Word and The Holy Ghost, and these three are one. The NIV just says ‘there are three that testify’ these versions serve to destroy not build faith as I experienced with a lady some time ago who almost lost her faith as a result of these inconsistent versions chipping away at the very faith the word of God is to encourage, when I was asked to help the lady in question almost lost her faith because the NIV and the others outside the AKJV 1611 attack the very deity of Christ and as I showed her by comparison her reaction said it all she declared that she never knew the NIV could be misleading. As Paul dealt with the same issue in 2 Cor. 2:17 {AKJV 1611} ‘We are not as many which do corrupt the word of God…’
Leslie – Thank you for your comments but people don’t lose their faith because of a bad or wrong translation. There are other things going on. I don’t like the NIV either but I am not going to blame that on it. I love the KJV and used it for many years but I now use the NASB. I also refer to the 25 or so versions of the Bible that I have in my phone. None are perfect.
However, I am struggling to see how your comment actually relates to the article. Let’s not get hung up on these things.
Lord help you brotherā¼ļø
Every Bible you mentioned had a footnote to explain the difference in the text.
If you have a AKJV1611 edition, less that 1% of people in America CAN READ IT! And everyone who canāt speak Old English is going to HELL.
Stop worshiping the word and start LOVING JESUSā¤ļø
Hi, I’m Beverly and are you David Hogan? If so, I was at one of the churches where you spoke in Hawaii.
Do you know a minister named Kenneth Woust (sp?) Dr. Aiko Hormann spoke of him on one of her videos.
I’m trying to contact his ministry.
Please contact me 808-536-1311 Aloha and God bless you
Beverly – I am not David Hogan. We know him and his ministry, and we have some of his materials on this site.
I do not know a Kenneth Woust but I know of a Kenneth S. Wuest. He is not a minister living today, but he is a published Greek scholar. We have several articles of his work on our site here. I use his word study Bible almost every day. I don’t know anything else. Rex
I did not make myself very clear – my main question was the use of the word ‘believe’ which does not imply action, I don’t get that inclusion.
Kay – Thank you for your comments. Faith and believe translate from the same Greek word. Faith is the noun form and believe is the verb form. Faith is the ability, from God, and believing is acting on that ability. The concept of faith is very close to trust. Some say it is the same. I do not think so.
We have other articles on this site that go into greater detail on this subject. It is the actual purpose of the site. For starters read, Faith Is āhupostasisā ā Hebrews 11:1 God bless you.
I find the use of the word ‘believe’ confusing, why not ‘action’? Isn’t that a clearer command of the enactment of faith? And what of trust? Is faith the same as trust?