Devotional: How We Grow- Active Faith
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." — Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)
Reflection:
Faith is more than belief. It’s not just about knowing the right doctrines or having the correct theology. Faith grows when we take Jesus' teachings and live them out in real, tangible ways.
Many of us approach Christianity like a bucket of paint sitting in the closet—we own it, we believe in its potential, but we never apply it. Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 7 that hearing His words isn’t enough; we must put them into practice. The difference between a strong, unshakable faith and one that crumbles under pressure is not knowledge, but obedience.
Obedience to Jesus is hard. It’s like digging through layers of sand and loose soil to find solid rock. It takes work, intentionality, and perseverance. But when the storms of life come—and they will come—only those whose lives are built on the rock of God’s Word will stand firm.
Jesus is calling us to a faith that is active. He isn’t looking for mere intellectual agreement—He desires a trust that moves us to action. Following Jesus means aligning our daily choices with His words, even when it feels difficult, inconvenient, or countercultural. It means forgiving when we’d rather hold a grudge, giving generously when we’d rather keep for ourselves, and trusting God when worry threatens to consume us.
The beauty of this kind of faith is that it doesn’t just change us—it influences those around us. A life built on the solid rock of Jesus stands firm not only for our own benefit but as a testimony of God's faithfulness to others. As we take steps of obedience, we begin to see that Jesus' way is not only right but truly the best way to live.
Faith grows when we step into obedience. When our trust in God intersects with His faithfulness, that’s when we truly begin to experience a big, unshakable faith.
Reflection Questions:
In what areas of your life have you been more focused on knowing about Jesus rather than following His teachings?
Is there a specific teaching of Jesus that you’ve struggled to put into practice? Why do you think that is?
Think of a time when you chose to obey God’s Word even when it was difficult. How did you see His faithfulness through that experience?
Prayer:
Father, I don’t want to just hear Your words—I want to live them out. Give me the courage to obey even when it’s difficult. Help me trust that Your ways are best, even when they don’t make sense to my human understanding. Build my life on the firm foundation of Jesus so that when the storms come, my faith will remain strong. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Further Study:
Read Matthew 5-7 (The Sermon on the Mount) and reflect on what it means to put Jesus’ words into practice.
Sermon: "Authentic Christianity – Timothy Keller" — In the conclusion to the sermon on the mount, Jesus challenges everyone. He challenges those who don’t attend church by telling them that not all roads lead to God. He challenges those inside the church by telling them that not everyone who calls him “Lord, Lord” will be saved.
Video: BibleProject: "Sermon on the Mount—The Choice" — A visual and theological breakdown of Jesus' most famous sermon.
Book: The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer — This book emphasizes the importance of radical commitment to Christ and living according to his teachings, aligning with the concept of building your life on a solid foundation.
