Scriptural Reference:
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
Hebrews 11:1

"And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe
that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."
Hebrews 11:6

"Jesus said to him, 'If you can believe? All things are possible for one who believes."
Mark 9:23

"Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept
the word planted in you, which can save you."
James 1:21

Reflection: Have you ever woken up in a good mood. Breakfast was enjoyable and you put on your favourite clothes and comfortabler shoes. You step out to face the world with a positive attitude. Than you meet someone you know. Possibly a fellow Christian who goes to the same church as you. You great them cheerfully and are met with a sad discourse of woes and sad problems. Sadly no matter how positive you are and how hard you try to cheer your friend up; they just seem to drag you down with their burdens. You walk along thinking hard of what to say when a non Christian encounters the two of you. Your despressed friend is asked a question about their faith and the answer given seems more depressing than uplifting. The person you both encountered walks away less inclined to visit a church and you feel less inclined to contin ue walking with your friend.

This is not a made up story. Many people have a very dark and depressed way of sharing their faith. Their lives are a litany of tragedy, struggles and drama. Which is reflected in their witness to others. It's understandable that Christians can't be happy clappy people 24/7. Yet when sharing our faith we need to let the Grace of God shine through us to others. So what is a dead fraith? How does it appear to others? A dead faith floats on surface-level change that is solely motivated by fear of consequences or outside moralistic pressures. Living faith grows and develops through repentance that comes from the implanted Word which is able to save our souls (James 1:21).

A living faith is one that grows. To do this we study the Bible and see what God has done in the past and what He promises for the future. It also requires that we “diligently seek Him” and strive to be like Him. But can we just 'work' up faith or 'will' ourselves to have faith? Where does faith first come from according to the Bible? How does it save us? Faith comes from a balanced mixture of trusting in God, doing the will of the Holy Spirit andfollowing in the steps and instructions of our Lord and Saviour Jesus the Christ. By these things we will grow our faith. Though it must not be forgotten what James tells us about the need for an active faith.

James tells us "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?". He continues to say "“If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?". How healthy and affirming are the words 'depart in peace'. What good is it to smile benignly yet offer no form of assistance? What we do need to remember that a “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). So an active faith begins with God, continues with God and never ends but goes on with God. An active faith, a healthy faith, a healing faith and a faith to touches others positively.

Returning to the begining we can now understand what exactly is needed to have a faith that breathes life into others. That through our faith we can change the world for others by providing the close assistance that many need. While showing others through our own life's the Grace of a perfectly forgiving God to all His creation.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
I pray that my faith,
Is alive with the Holy Spirit,
Active in my community,
Aware of those in need,
And able to humbly help.

I pray that my faith,
Is lead by my Lord Jesus,
Instructed by the Bible,
Encouraged by the Holy Spirit,
And recharged to share the Gospil,
So that my faith is alive in Christ.
Amen