We Need Gestures of Faith

Sunday, November 21, 2021

We Need Gestures of Faith

"As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."

(James 2: 26)

In a world full of expressions, a Christian is called to express her/his faith. And this expression of faith must not just be in words but in deeds. We need gestures of faith! It has become so common nowadays for us to keep expressing the faith that we have deep in our hearts but to remain halted, paused and doubtful when it comes to the deeds that would express our faith. Probably, this is one of the reasons why we are called today to "do" something in faith rather than "say" something in faith. We love to sing about our faith but seldom yearn to live what we sing about. It's a wake-up call for us to begin; to start living a life of faith where we do something in faith. Faith in action is needed!

On the one hand, our faith in action expresses our faith to those around us, and more importantly, on the other, it demonstrates our faith in front of the presence of God. In his letter to "all of God's people who are scattered everywhere in the world", James, "a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ" (James 1:1) invites us to be a part of this 'faith action brigade.' James invites us to do something that demonstrates our faith. He reminds us of the fact that faith with no effort is no faith at all. It is an assurance that God will respond to our action of faith for God has never rejected a genuine gesture of faith.

Stressing on the importance of faith-deed balance needed in our lives, James presents a few important questions before us. He writes, "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead" (James 2: 14 - 17). How important it is to realise as God's children who are called to live a life of testimony that our faith, when not accompanied by action, is dead!

Now, as Christians living in this present age of challenges, difficulties, change and unexpected turns, how is our expression of faith going to be? James reminds us of sacrifices made and risks taken by people of "action faith" in the old testament, such as Abraham and Rahab. What kind of challenges do they present before us?

First of all, personally, we are invited to demonstrate our faith. We are called to live our lives according to what we expect in faith. If you have faith that you will travel soon, prepare your passport. If you have faith that you will get that promotion in your workplace, prepare yourself for those duties and responsibilities. If you have faith that God is going to use you in a mighty way in a ministry, then prepare, be ready, arm yourself and wait for the call of duty. If you have faith that God will bless you with a baby, then prepare yourself to be a parent. Demonstrate! And surely, our Lord our God who does not ignore or reject a genuine gesture of faith will respond.

Secondly, let our gestures of faith, and the testimonies that follow, be a helping hand for those who are finding it hard to keep faith steps in troubled waters. It is only when people see us, as God's children, keeping assured steps of faith, they get to know the assurance that we find in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our deeds of faith should stand before them as monuments to be reminding them of how they could also trust and go forward. Just like how every single faith giant in the Bible helps us to be reminded of our faith in the Lord, we are also called today to strengthen others by the demonstration of our faith.

And, last, and more importantly, the invitation to demonstrate our faith in action is also a great calling to make sacrifices and take risks like Abraham and Rahab. This is the time of human history where the Christian ministry is in need of people who are ready to sacrifice their precious time, their God-given talents, their skills, their wealth and many other blessings that God has given to be used for the glory of God, in His work. This is also the time where the calling for taking risks is knocking at the door. Many Christians fail at this last step. For some of us, our gestures of faith can only be possible by taking risks, and indeed, these risk-taking expressions of faith have a long-lasting influence on the faith generations that would follow.

Today, we need gestures of faith. We need gestures that would, first of all, keep us in alignment with God's precious will in our lives. We need deeds of faith that would strengthen others in their walk of faith. And we need gestures that will also include sacrifices and risks which will inspire generations to follow. I pray that we will find our faith expressed not just in words but in action. Let our gestures of faith become avenues of miracles, wonders and achievements in the Lord. Let us continue to live what we believe, for we know "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead" (James 2: 26). May the blessings and power of God the Father, the love and grace of Christ Jesus the Son, and the fellowship and guidance of the Holy Spirit be with us and help us to live with gestures of faith that will glorify the name of our Lord Christ Jesus.

May God bless you.

Yours in Christ,