Real Faith Changes Us.
When we talk about living boldly for Christ, it’s crucial to understand that true faith is more than a belief; it’s a way of life. The book of James offers us profound insights into this reality, challenging us to consider how our faith is reflected in our actions. James 2:17 declares, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” This verse calls us to a faith that is alive, active, and visible—a belief that is demonstrated through the way we live each day.
James doesn’t mince words when he talks about the relationship between faith and works. He emphasizes that while we are indeed saved by faith, that faith must produce fruit in our lives. This fruit is seen in our actions—how we treat others, how we respond to needs, and how we live out the teachings of Christ.
James 2:14-16 asks pointedly, “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?”
The message here is clear: faith without action is not faith at all. It’s an empty profession, devoid of the power to change lives—both ours and those of others. James is urging us to move beyond mere words and to let our belief be evidenced by what we do.
Living Out Our Faith Through Action
James uses the example of caring for those in need to drive home his point. He is not content with a belief that speaks but does not act. In James 2:15-16, he provides a practical scenario: if we see someone in need and merely offer them kind words without actually helping, we have missed the point of faith entirely. This challenges us to think about our own lives—are we merely offering lip service to our faith, or are we putting it into practice by meeting the needs of those around us?
This teaching is especially relevant in our modern context, where it’s easy to talk about faith but much harder to live it out. Social media allows us to share Bible verses and inspirational quotes, but what about when we’re confronted with real, tangible needs? What do we do when a neighbor is struggling, when someone at work is going through a tough time, or when we encounter a stranger who needs help? Do we step up, or do we step back?
James would argue that our response in these situations reveals the true nature of our faith. A living, active faith is one that cannot help but respond with love, compassion, and action. It’s a belief that says, “Here I am, Lord. Send me,” and then goes out to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the world.
Faith That Transforms and Compels Us to Be the Change
The transformation that comes from knowing Christ should not be a private experience. When we encounter the life-changing grace of Jesus, it should propel us into a life of service and love. This is not about earning our salvation, but about expressing the salvation that we have already received. As Paul writes in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” This new life in Christ is one that is marked by outward expressions of inward transformation.
Being the change means taking the transformative power of Christ and letting it spill over into every aspect of our lives. It means that our belief is not confined to Sunday mornings or church activities but is lived out in our homes, workplaces, and communities. James 2:18 underscores this by saying, “But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.” Our actions should be the natural outpouring of our faith, serving as a testimony to the world around us.
This idea of “being the change” is deeply rooted in the teachings of James. He understood that once we have been changed by Christ, we are called to reflect that change in how we live. Our belief should be active, not passive; visible, not hidden. It should compel us to love others as Christ has loved us, to serve others as Christ has served us, and to be a light in a world that so desperately needs hope.
The Role of the Church in Encouraging Active Faith
At Lakeview Christian Church, we are committed to fostering a community where beliefis lived out through action. Our “Just 3” principles—Study, Share, and Serve—are not just church programs but are intended to be a lifestyle. These principles help us to live out the teachings of James in practical ways.
Study: The foundation of living boldly for Christ is knowing Him deeply, and that comes through studying His Word. James 1:22-25 emphasizes the importance of not just hearing the Word but doing what it says.
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”
As a church, we encourage everyone to be diligent in studying Scripture, knowing that it equips us to live out our belief in real and practical ways.
Share: Sharing our belief is an essential aspect of living boldly for Christ. James 3:9-10 speaks to the power of our words, reminding us that our speech should reflect our faith. “With the tongue, we praise our Lord and Father, and with it, we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.
My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” The way we speak to others, the way we share the gospel, and the way we testify to God’s work in our lives are all critical components of living out our faith. As a church, we are committed to equipping our members to share their faith confidently and lovingly, whether in personal conversations, public declarations, or through acts of kindness.
Serve: Service is where belief meets action. James 2:14-26 serves as a powerful reminder that our belief must be demonstrated through our deeds. Serving others is a tangible expression of the love and grace that we have received from Christ. It’s through service that we can make a meaningful impact on the lives of others and on our community. At Lakeview Christian Church, we offer numerous opportunities for service, from local outreach programs to global missions, empowering our members to put their faith into action.
Living Boldly: Practical Steps to Embody Faith in Action
To live boldly for Christ, we must integrate these principles into every aspect of our lives. Here are some practical steps that can help us do this:
Daily Devotion: Begin each day with a time of prayer and Bible reading. This daily practice helps to ground us in God’s Word and prepares us to face the challenges of the day with belief and courage. Psalm 1:2-3 encourages us to delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it day and night, promising that those who do so will be like “a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.”
Community Involvement: Engage with your church community. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us of the importance of gathering together and encouraging one another in love and good deeds. Being part of a belief community provides the support and accountability we need to live out our beliefs. It also offers opportunities to serve and grow alongside others who are on the same journey.
Acts of Service: Look for opportunities to serve others in your daily life. Whether it’s helping a neighbor, volunteering at a local charity, or participating in a church outreach program, service is a powerful way to demonstrate your faith. James 1:27 highlights that true religion involves caring for those in need, and Matthew 25:40 reminds us that when we serve “the least of these,” we are serving Christ Himself.
Share Your Faith: Be open about your faith in your daily interactions. Whether it’s through conversations, social media, or simply living in a way that reflects Christ’s love, sharing your faith is a vital part of living boldly for Christ. 1 Peter 3:15 encourages us to always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that we have, and to do so with gentleness and respect.
Living Out Our Faith in the Everyday
Jim’s sermon challenges us to take these principles and apply them to every area of our lives. He reminds us that living boldly for Christ is not limited to what we do on Sundays; it’s about how we live throughout the week. It’s about letting our faith influence our decisions, our relationships, and our actions in every context—whether at home, at work, or in our community.
When we commit to living boldly for Christ, we are making a decision to let our faith shape our entire lives. This means being intentional about our spiritual growth, nurturing our relationships with others, and actively seeking ways to serve. It means recognizing that every day presents opportunities to live out our faith in tangible ways—whether through acts of kindness, words of encouragement, or standing up for what is right.
Conclusion: Faith That Works
In the end, living boldly for Christ is about embodying a faith that is active and alive—a faith that works. As James so powerfully puts it, “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26). Our faith should be a driving force in our lives, compelling us to love, serve, and make a difference in the world around us.
As we strive to live boldly for Christ, let’s take to heart the words of James 1:22, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” Let our actions speak louder than our words, showing the world that we are truly followers of Christ—not just in name but in deed. Through our study, our sharing, and our service, we can be the change that Jesus has called us to be.
In doing so, we will not only honor Christ but also inspire others to join us in this journey of faith. Together, we can make a lasting impact, living out the gospel with courage, compassion, and conviction. Let’s commit ourselves to a faith that is bold, active, and transformative—a faith that truly changes lives.
