Encouraging Word
Faith is defined in Hebrews 11:1 as the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction (evidence) of things not seen. And Hebrews 11:6, goes on to say that without faith it is impossible to please God. Romans 10:9 adds, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.” From these verses we see that faith is the foundation and a necessity to become a Christian!
Can faith become visible? I believe the answer is “yes!”
In Luke 5, we have the account of the healing of the paralytic. Jesus was teaching and the friends of the paralytic, who were carrying him, could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd. So they went up on the roof, removed the roof tiles and lowered the paralytic down to where Jesus was. In Luke 5:20 it says, “And seeing their faith, . . . .” Jesus saw their faith through their actions.
James 2 tells us that genuine faith produces works (activity). James 2:17-18 says that faith without works is dead. Faith is made visible through works. Also, Matthew 5:16 shares, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Ephesians 2:10 also adds, “for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Genuine faith produces Christian activity. Faith and works go together. Christian works make our “faith visible.”
-Tony Cooper
Celebrating 27 Years of Service as Exec. Director, Jimmie Hale Mission
