1 Essential Ingredient Shows if Your Christian Faith is Dead or Alive

Several years ago, we bought a treadmill. I had every intention of getting into shape. And you know what happened? For week I declared I was going to get in shape, “Yeah, I got a treadmill!” But the problem was… I rarely got on it. And as you can guess, simply owning a treadmill didn’t change a single thing about my health, I actually had to use it.  

Faith works the same way. We can say we believe, read about it, even surround ourselves with Christian books and music—but unless we actually put our faith into practice, it doesn’t transform our lives. James puts it bluntly: “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17, ESV). Belief without action is like a treadmill that never gets used—it looks good in the room, but it doesn’t move you forward.

Why Faith Must Move to Action

The Bible is clear that real faith is always active. Hebrews 11, sometimes called the “Hall of Faith,” doesn’t just list people who believed—it celebrates people who did something with that belief:

• “By faith Noah… constructed an ark” (Hebrews 11:7, ESV).

• “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out” (Hebrews 11:8, ESV).

• “By faith Moses… chose rather to be mistreated with the people of God” (Hebrews 11:24–25, ESV).

Faith always shows up in obedience. It’s never just an inner conviction; it’s a life lived in alignment with God’s call.

Jesus Himself said: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15, ESV). Our obedience is the evidence of our love for Him. Belief alone—even belief that sounds right—doesn’t cut it. James even warns: “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” (James 2:19, ESV).

In other words, it’s not enough to just believe the right things. Real faith leads to real action.

Practical Ways to Put Faith into Action

So what does this look like for us today? Here are a few everyday examples, rooted in Scripture:

1. Love people when it’s inconvenient.
   Jesus said the world would know we are His disciples by our love (John 13:35). Love isn’t a warm feeling—it’s a choice. It looks like forgiving when we’d rather hold a grudge (Colossians 3:13), making time for someone who needs encouragement (1 Thessalonians 5:11), or serving quietly without recognition (Mark 10:45).

2. Live generously.
   Faith in action means trusting God enough to give. Paul reminds us: “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7, ESV). Giving money, time, or talents demonstrates that we believe God will provide.

3. Stand for truth with grace.
   In a world that constantly shifts, faith means holding firmly to God’s Word. But Ephesians 4:15 tells us to “speak the truth in love.” It’s not just about being right—it’s about reflecting Christ’s heart while pointing others toward Him.

4. Take risks for God.
   Peter didn’t just believe Jesus could hold him up—he stepped out of the boat (Matthew 14:29). Sometimes faith means moving even when you can’t see the outcome. It might look like sharing the gospel with a co-worker, praying boldly for healing, or starting that ministry God’s been stirring in you.

The Urgency of Living Faith

Jesus warns in Matthew 7:21, ESV: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” The difference is not in the words spoken, but in the life lived.

The world doesn’t need more people who say they believe. It needs Christians who live their belief in visible, tangible, costly ways. As Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, ESV: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Faith is more than belief—it’s action. The treadmill only works if you step on it. And faith only comes alive when you step out and live it.

Your Challenge This Week

Don’t just say you believe—show it. Pick one area where you can move from belief to action:

• Forgive someone who’s been on your heart.

• Give generously, even if it feels risky.

• Speak truth with love in a conversation.

• Take a bold step of faith that stretches you.

Ask God to meet you in that step. Remember: the world doesn’t just need your words—it needs your walk.

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