…Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:17

Faith without action is a bit like a garden without any flowers.

Imagine a gardener who says they’re crazy about plants. They go on about their passion, painting vivid pictures of beautiful flowers and lush greenery. But, in reality, their garden plot lies barren and neglected. Packages of seeds sit unopened and the plants that are there are dying from lack of water. The gap between words and actions is evident.

The Bible talks about what happens when our actions don’t match up with our professed faith. Simply put, it says that such faith is dead, pointless, and powerless (James 2:17). Faith, at its core, is about trusting God and taking steps in alignment with  belief. Just as the gardener’s love for plants must be evidenced by the act of planting, nurturing, and tending, our faith must find expression in lives that obey God’s commands, wait on His voice, and model His nature. This doesn’t mean we need to be perfect! But it does mean we actively listen to God and respond to his guidance, gentle corrections, and loving encouragement. True faith isn’t just about what we say or believe but how we live.

When a self-proclaimed gardener starts planting and tending to their garden, we’d actually call them a gardener. In the same way, when we pair our faith with action, we bring our faith to life. Our actions become the tangible proof of what we say is important to us.

Nurture your faith by listening to God’s voice, reading His word, and taking action to obey it! 1 John 5:3 says, “Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.” It’s a joyful thing to answer God’s voice with willing hearts and ready hands!