So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. (James 2:17 NLT)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)
Faith is not an exclusively Christian concept.
Faith is something that people exercise frequently. Faith is significant trust and confidence in something or someone. Faith is expressed in political figures – after all, that’s why people still participate in occasions like voting and expressing their opinions on leaders. Faith is expressed in scientific figures, as seen in the reliance people have on their processes, outcomes, and judgments. We see faith even in the way the child depends on the parent, the married couple depend on each other, the child looks to the teacher, and even the employer expects the employee to behave in an employable manner, as the employee trusts the employer to provide reasonable material to do the job and get paid for it.
These are everyday expressions of faith; they don’t even scratch the surface of the things we exercise faith in that shape our view and attitude toward the world around us. Something vital in the faith is what we’re plugging the faith into.
When Jesus invites people to Him as the Good Shepherd, He presents Himself as the source of abundant life – only by faith in Him can we experience the fullness of real life. This is what makes the faith vibrant.
This faith is not the mere mental acknowledgement that God exists and has given us His Son. This faith is vibrant as it propels us to express the life we’re now plugged into. Trust in Jesus gives us daily opportunities to express His kind of life – life that delights in seeing good happen, life that enjoys making peace and seeing it expressed in all corners of existence, life that takes pleasure in reaching those on the fringes who want to see this life in action and accept an invitation to experience it for themselves. This is the faith highlighted in Hebrews 11, through the stories of great figures in the Bible who trusted God and performed amazing feats.
Vibrant faith is life, trusting God completely to provide and protect as he gives us the occasion to demonstrate what it is to have His Holy Spirit prompting and directing us in our relationships, work activities and other key pursuits.
I had the privilege of observing this vibrant faith in action while serving in a ministry that initiated a church plant in a city in England. The group involved were keen to see the love of God demonstrated in the community and started in community facilities serving those who were on the fringes of society – the poor, the homeless, those with addictions, those coming out of prison, etc. That group lived sacrificially, not prioritising their own material comfort, but trusting God as He used their gifts and abilities to creatively engage with others, build themselves up and challenge each other to share the gospel as they went about doing good. This example of vibrant faith left an unforgettable imprint on my life, providing a clear example of what it means to live plugged into the abundant life offered by Christ.
Jesus’ invitation to experience the fullness of life remains available to those who place their trust and confidence in Him. That trust grows over time with intentional use, and in a world that continues to exercise trust in the things that fail, there is a great opportunity to exercise that faith and invite others to partake in it.
For His Name’s Sake
C. L. J. Dryden
Shalom
Next Steps
Reflect: Is your faith vibrant? How would you know?
Pray: Father, I come to you trusting that you exist and are a rewarder of those who diligently seek you. As I seek you wholeheartedly, help me to express this abundant life discovered in your Son and enjoyed by the presence of your Spirit. For your glory, Lord.
Act: Identify a prayer partner who will hold you accountable for what you accomplish by faith, and then journal your faith experiences in the coming week.
