How is faith expressed?

[arunangelo]

Since God is love, to have faith in God is have faith in His love. Since faith is an active force, it is always expressed in action. Therefore, when we have faith in God we will love others the way God loved us. If we believe that God loves us but we do not express the same love in our lives, then our faith is not alive (James 2:17). On the other hand if we put our faith into action it will set our heart on fire and grow within us. It will then propel us to go out of our way and spend every moment of our life to serve God by serving others. In this effort we will count no cost, expect no reward and accept any discomfort or peril that comes our way. It may seem impossible to have this type of faith. However, even if we have faith as small as a mustard seed it will grow mighty enough to move mountains.

 

[dannibear]

Amen arunangelo

Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence and showing honor to one another.
Romans 12: 10

Little children, let us not love [merely] in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice and in sincerity). 1 John 3: 18

 

[Davy]

The bible makes it clear, to love God, you must love your neighbor in the same way God loves you. But Faith goes much farther than just showing love to ones neighbor.

Faith is the manifestation of wanting to Honor God and all his standards in our life. This involves the personal application of God's standards to the way we think and the things we desire. You can demonstrate Godly faith, just by the choice of thoughts and desires you choose to dwell on, which ironically only ourselves and God can see.

The bible warns against adultery, (Matthew 5:27-30) sexual appetite, hurtful desire, and covetousness, (Colossians 3:5) greed, (1 Corinthians 5:10) etc, in the mind and heart. In fact, I think that is where one's faith actually begins, as a foundation. After all, that is precisely what Jesus said at Matthew 22:37, We must love God with our whole "mind" and "heart." Because if that is insincere, just how insincere will one's external expressions of faith be?

If you bend over back-wards to help a stranger, but your mind and heart are corrupted with all sorts of things God's word condemns. How can that be pleasing to God and a demonstration of true Christian faith?

 

[jiggyfly]

For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love. Gal. 5:6

 

[Davy]

Hi jiggyfly:

You comment is correct, Galatians 5:6 does say: "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love." 'Barns' notes on the New Testament comments on this key statement: "Faith that evinces its existence by love to God, and benevolence to men." Love to God would include honoring his righteous standards, in our minds and hearts and deeds by showing love in a practical way to our neighbor. As 1 John 5:3, clearly states: "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome."