Charting Your Course-Faith in Action

Pastor Ryan 

4 minute read

 

The changing seasons of life often ask you to set forth into the unknown. 

In the great mystery that is God, the only compass you have is faith. Yet faith without works is dead. True faith should spur you to action that leads to blessings beyond measure. I want to make this clear: waiting for perfect timing or relying solely on good intentions falls short; it’s the synergy of faith and works that propels you into God’s purpose. As you delve into the Scriptures, you must learn how faith in action transforms ordinary lives into extraordinary stories of obedience and friendship with God. One of the things I love most about Create is the stories of faith that I hear from your own lives. I remember feeling like God called me to ministry, yet it was five years later that Ellie and I began to see that come to pass. This is what I’ve learned and want to share with you. 

Perfect Timing is Overrated

In Ecclesiastes, you can see that those who endlessly observe external circumstances may never sow or reap. The allure of “perfect timing” can paralyze you, preventing you from stepping out in faith. Waiting for all the stars to align often means you never embark on the journey. Sometimes, you must take the leap of faith even when the wind is uncertain and the dark horizon seems ominous. God is big enough to absorb any mistakes you make along the way. 

Good Intentions are Insufficient

The book of James starkly reminds you that faith without works is dead. Good intentions alone cannot change the world or impact lives. To have faith is to move in obedience to God’s call, not merely to make lofty promises. Your faith is expressed through our actions, especially when you have the opportunity to help others. True faith is demonstrated through selfless acts of kindness and love, and it is by these deeds that we show the vitality of our faith. 

Moving and Working in Obedience is Faith

The story of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac, showcases faith in its most profound form. Abraham’s obedience, his unwavering commitment to do as God commanded, defined his faith. It was God who asked him to offer his son’s life as a sacrifice, and he complied – can you believe that?

Even when faced with an impossible test, he trusted God completely. His willingness to act on his faith, even in the face of the unimaginable, led to blessings and a covenant with God that still reverberates through the ages.

Faith with Works Brings You into Friendship With God

Abraham, the father of faith, was not only justified by his belief but also by his obedience. He wasn’t just a believer; he was a doer of God’s will. As a result, he was called the friend of God. This friendship emerged from a faith that worked harmoniously with his deeds, and it opened doors to blessings beyond measure.

As you chart your course through life, you must remember that faith, when activated through works of obedience, is the compass that leads us into the abundant blessings and friendship with God. Don’t let perfect timing or good intentions hold you back; instead, step out in faith, ready to respond to God’s call with unwavering trust and obedience.