Active Faith

Active Faith: Faith Lived, Not Just Professed

Active faith is one of our core principles. We believe that faith must be lived, not just professed. It’s not enough to say we follow Jesus—we must do what he says. Faith without works is dead.

“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock.” - Matthew 7:24

Scripture Foundation

Key Passages:

What Active Faith Means

Faith is Measured by Action

Jesus made it clear: it’s not what we say that matters, but what we do.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” - Matthew 7:21

Action: We measure our faith by our actions, not our words or beliefs alone.

Hearing and Doing

The wise person hears Jesus’ words and does them. The foolish person hears but doesn’t do.

“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand.” - Matthew 7:24-26

Action: We don’t just study Jesus’ teachings—we live them out.

Faith Without Works

Faith that doesn’t produce action is not real faith.

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothes and in lack of daily food, and one of you tells them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled;’ and yet you didn’t give them the things the body needs, what good is it? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself.” - James 2:14-17

Action: Our faith must produce action—serving the poor, forgiving debts, practicing mercy.

How We Practice Active Faith

By Serving the Poor

Active faith means serving the least of these:

  • Feeding the hungry
  • Visiting the sick
  • Welcoming the stranger
  • Caring for the imprisoned

See Also: Serve the Poor, Matthew 25

By Forgiving Debts

Active faith means forgiving as we’ve been forgiven:

  • Releasing personal debts
  • Supporting debt relief
  • Working for economic justice

See Also: Forgive Debts, Jesus on Forgiveness

By Rejecting Materialism

Active faith means living simply:

  • Not storing up treasures on earth
  • Trusting God for needs
  • Practicing generosity

See Also: Reject Materialism, Jesus on Wealth

By Practicing Mercy

Active faith means showing mercy:

  • Forgiving offenses
  • Making peace
  • Showing compassion

See Also: Practice Mercy, The Beatitudes

By Engaging Politically

Active faith means engaging with the world:

  • Voting with values
  • Advocating for justice
  • Building structures for compassion

See Also: Political Engagement, Policy

Practical Application

Daily Practice

  • Look for opportunities to act on your faith
  • Serve someone in need
  • Practice forgiveness and mercy
  • Live out Jesus’ teachings

Weekly Practice

  • Take concrete action in one area
  • Reflect on how your actions match your faith
  • Connect with others practicing active faith
  • Adjust and grow

Ongoing Practice

  • Make active faith a way of life
  • Measure your faith by your actions
  • Build community around active faith
  • Support others in living it out

Connection to Our Movement

Active faith is one of our core principles:

  1. Jesus as Savior - His life and teachings are our foundation
  2. Compassion & Care - Love your neighbor through action, not just words
  3. Anti-Materialism - Reject wealth accumulation as a life goal
  4. Red-Letter Focus - Teachings drawn directly from Jesus’ words
  5. Active Faith - Faith is lived, not just professed ← THIS PRINCIPLE
  6. Forgiveness & Debt Ethics - Forgive debts, restructure lending
  7. Sermon on the Mount as Ethical Compass - Beatitudes guide our actions

See Also

Categories:
Foundation