“Even so faith,if it hath no works, is dead, being alone….but wilt thou know, O vain man that faith without works is dead.”
James 2:17,20
Among other definitions of faith; FAITH IS THE RESPONSE OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT TO THE WORD OF GOD. After you hear a message on principles of effective PRAYER, if your prayer habits don’t change, no matter how many times you responded “amen” or “powerful”, you still haven’t demonstrated faith in that message therefore you won’t have results that the teaching guarantees.
Building students don’t build houses in classrooms where they learn building. No matter how good grades a building students score, if his knowledge is not demonstrated outside the classroom, then he is as good as someone who knows nothing. Faith is perfected not only by confessions but by corresponding actions. Until knowledge is acted upon, there won’t be any change.
My friend was preaching in a certain church where we had been invited to teach on GIVING, the Pastor had informed us on how the members were not participating in the project to buy new P.A systems. My friend simply gave the sermon and sat down and I thought it was wrong to preach and not have a demonstration so I asked for 10minutes, on getting on the pulpit I asked for an offering basket and called on all members who had been influenced by the word to stand up and give. The people gave more than enough was required for the P.A. system in a single service.
When we preach on healing, faith comes in the message, and anyone sick who hears and acts on that word will be healed. God’s word must be acted upon if you are ever to receive results. James 1:22 says, ” Be ye doers of the word, not hearers only, deceiving your ownselves.”