Discipleship 101: Faith & Obedience

by Veronica Navarro

Ephesians 2:8-9 reads: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

So what does true faith look like? 

True faith is more than just words, it is shown through our actions as well. Real faith changes us. It changes how we act, how we live, and what we say. 

James 2:14-17 reads: ‭“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 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? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

The type of faith where someone says that they are a Christian, but their actions do not show it, is not true. If one's faith is not bearing fruit, it may just be proof that they are not truly saved—truly a disciple of Jesus.

Life with Jesus is faith that works, not faith in works. 

True faith is constantly demonstrated through actions. Real faith produces life change! 

With this said, we are called to go and make disciples of Christ. If we say we love Jesus but we never talk about Him, do we truly love Him? If we say we love Jesus, but we aren't ever in His word, do we truly love Him? 

Furthermore, we can believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, but it is so much different to put enough faith in Him that we are willing to dedicate our lives to spending an eternity with Him. 

True faith results in obedience. Always. We put our faith in Jesus and therefore obey Him. 

Have you ever decided to follow Jesus? Have you believed and trust in him? What area of your life do you need to start obeying Him and His commandments? 

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