By Andrew Williams
Opening Prayer
Lord, may our faith be more than just words we say. Empower us to live out our beliefs through active, loving obedience.
Today’s Scripture (NLT)
James 2:17
“So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.”
Spiritual growth is not just about what you know; it’s about what you do with what you know. You can listen to sermons, read all the books, and have deep theological discussions, but if that knowledge never translates into action, your faith is not truly growing. James puts it bluntly: faith without “good deeds,” or works, is “dead and useless.”
Obedience is faith in motion. It is the bridge between belief and practice. Every time you choose to forgive when it’s hard, to serve when you’re tired, to be generous when you’d rather be selfish, or to share your faith when you’re afraid, you are exercising your spiritual muscles. And just like physical muscles, they grow stronger with use.
A stagnant faith, one that never moves beyond the mind, will eventually wither. But a dynamic faith, one that is constantly being put into practice through acts of obedience, is a growing, living, and powerful force. God calls us to be hearers and doers of the Word, because it is in the doing that we are truly transformed.
Disciples’ Life Tip: Don’t just learn something from God’s Word this week—act on it. Choose one command or principle you have recently learned and find one specific, tangible way to put it into practice today.
Closing Prayer: Father, forgive us for having a faith that is all head and no hands. Give us the courage to put our faith in motion through radical, loving obedience to you. Amen.
