working, living, walking, and growing

Faith is not a spectator sport. It’s not just about feeling inspired, nodding along to a good sermon, or posting a Bible verse on social media. God calls us to something far greater—real, lived-out obedience.

Yes, He works in us. But we must work it out! The Spirit gives life, but we must actually live! He strengthens us, but we must step forward in obedience! He plants the seed of righteousness, but we must bear the fruit of holiness!

Too many wish to will, but they do not do. They claim to love Christ, but their hands remain idle, their feet unmoved, their hearts unchanged. But the Christian life is not just about wanting to follow Jesus—it’s about actually following Him.

Philippians 2:12-13 captures this tension perfectly:

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

Did you catch that? God works in us—He stirs our hearts, changes our desires, and gives us the strength we need. But that doesn’t mean we sit back and coast. Paul says we must work it out. That means taking what God has planted in us and bringing it to life through action.

Think of an athlete. No one wins a race by simply wanting to run. Desire is important, but unless they train, push themselves, and step onto the track, they’ll never cross the finish line. The same is true in our faith! God equips us, but we must step forward. He provides strength, but we must put it to use.

James 1:22 is a wake-up call for every believer:

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

It’s easy to be a hearer. We listen to sermons, read devotionals, and fill our minds with truth. But what good is it if it never moves us to action? The Lord seeks not the talk of men, but the labor of their hands. The world is not changed by words alone, but by lives transformed by the power of Christ!

Will we simply speak of obedience, or will we obey?

Will we admire holiness, or will we pursue it?

Will we praise love, or will we practice it?

The difference between a passive believer and an active disciple is action. Faith isn’t meant to be admired from a distance—it’s meant to be lived out daily, in the trenches, where it’s tested and refined.

Jesus had strong words for those who only appeared to be faithful but had no real fruit to show for it. In Mark 11, He cursed a fig tree that was full of leaves but had no figs. It looked healthy from a distance, but up close, it was barren.

We must not be content with mere appearance. Christianity isn’t just about looking the part—it’s about bearing real, lasting fruit. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us what that fruit looks like: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities aren’t just theoretical; they’re meant to shape our interactions, our choices, our daily lives.

True faith has evidence. It’s visible in the way we love, serve, and sacrifice. It’s seen in our integrity, our kindness, and our willingness to follow Christ even when it’s hard.

Brethren, if we are truly His workmanship, let us not be satisfied with half-hearted faith. Let’s move beyond mere belief into obedience. Let’s push past good intentions into faithful action.

The world doesn’t need more Christians who simply talk about Jesus. It needs disciples who actually live like Him.

If God is calling you to serve, step forward and serve.

If He is prompting you to forgive, don’t hesitate—do it.

If He is leading you to share the gospel, open your mouth and speak.

He has already equipped you. Now it’s time to step out in faith.

Let’s be fruitful. Let’s be faithful. Let’s live lives of real, tangible service to His Kingdom. Because God is working in us—but we must work it out!

Lord,

Thank You for working in us, for shaping our hearts and giving us the desire to follow You. But, Father, don’t let us stop at good intentions. Give us the courage to live out our faith, to step forward in obedience, to move when You call.

Forgive us for the times we have been hearers only, for the moments we admired righteousness but failed to pursue it. Stir in us a holy dissatisfaction with passivity. Help us not just to talk about love, but to love deeply. Not just to praise holiness, but to walk in it.

We don’t want to be all leaves and no fruit. Make our lives a testimony of Your grace in action. Strengthen our hands, guide our steps, and use us for Your glory.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.