“Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?” James 2:22
Apostle Paul reveals “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Those who hear the Word and respond by believing in the Word, have faith. In other words, faith is the Word that is believed. Because faith comes from the Word, it contains news, commands and etc. A command is something we have to do; this is what’s called an act of faith.
It does not make sense to separate faith from action. Apostle Paul reveals that faith and action are needed in order to make someone’s life pleasing before the Lord. “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). Everything needs to be done based on faith; this means everyone needs a direction from God’s Word.
How can we express faith?
- Family: Family is a good place where we can learn how to express or apply faith. This is the safest place for everyone to learn how to live in obedience of God’s Word. When someone receives the Word to do something, then he/she does it with obedience, starting from his/her family. In a supportive family, every member learns to grow in doing the Word. A family that does the Word is a strong family.
- Church: A local church has to be a family that supports spiritual growth. This is a place for everyone to learn how to express his or her faith. Like in a class, where students learn and practice through “trial and error,” the church is also a good place for everyone to grow spiritually. The church must be a place where God’s Word is delivered and facilitates every member to be doers of the Word.
- Marketplace: After learning and growing in a family and local church, every believer has to apply the essentials of the Word in the marketplace. This is the real battle and real ministry for every believer. Marketplace is the real place of warfare and ministry for believers. The principle is the same – believers need to do what the Lord has delivered through His Word. The victory of believers is not determined based on their intelligence, but on the obedience of the Word.
James 2:17, “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Faith can only be proven through action. Without action, it is almost impossible for someone to have faith.
Taken from the Central Article 2016, GBI Gatot Subroto Jakarta