It is God’s desire for people to be active in their faith.
People who are spiritually idle risk the atrophy of their spirits, and leave themselves open to spiritual attack. Worst of all, spiritually inactive believers leave their Father’s work undone.
Daniel 11:32 says, “By smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action.” (NAS) This scripture is about people under the rule of an evil Persian king, but it applies to us as subjects on the earth. We have a choice. Be passively ruled by a worldly king (Satan), or resist the Prince of Darkness, and fight as children of God. To do nothing when given this choice is to remain under Satan’s slavery.
In His Word, God is constantly calling on us to act upon His Word. Matthew 7:26-27 says, “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell–and great was its fall.” (NAS) Ever heard the saying, “Waiting gives the Devil time”? I’m not sure where that phrase gets its origin, but it’s Biblically true:
God calls us to be active in our faith, but He doesn’t force us to do anything that we don’t want to. It’s our decision. We can pursue our faith everyday, operate in the gifts that God gives us, and live in the freedom that Christ paid for on the cross. Or, we can stuff our relationship with God into a shoebox in our closet, and take it out whenever we feel like taking a stroll down our spiritual memory lane. To grow as Christians, and to do God’s will, we have to be active.
Philippians 2:12 says, “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” It does not say, “Sit back and let your salvation come to you, taking it easy.”
1 Chronicles 28:10 says, “Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be courageous and act.”
This is one reason why we frequently hear people tell us about the importance of a daily walk with God. Keeping in touch with God keeps our faith fresh and our commitment renewed. It’s also true that as we do indeed have a relationship with God, our communication with Him is important to keep our relationship from becoming a distant, shallow relationship. We should always strive for a deeper relationship with Him.
When we do act, we receive the fullness of his blessings for our lives. Our faith doesn’t grow dusty, and God’s will gets accomplished through his people who are following his command to “be courageous and act.”
