Faith is a practice not a claim. As we have come to believe in God through Jesus Christ, there are certain practices that prove that we are God’s children. It is not enough to just profess to be a Christian. In fact what really matters is what we do because that is what proves who we truly are.
Salvation happens in the heart but it is validated by our works. Works prove whether we are truly saved or not. Anybody who has had a true experience of Christ’s love must prove through how they treat other people. Salvation can’t be claimed by word of mouth but by deeds.
Jesus said, “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:16
Salvation is not a secret affair but rather a public affair. It should be shown to the world so that they may believe.
Have you taken a moment to observe that whenever you go to a place where you are not known when you keep your identity as a child of God secret, you are easily tempted?
Jesus said, “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33
It is until you profess that you are a child of God that certain people keep away. Confessing Jesus Christ makes you accountable for your works before those around you because you will have to prove your confession. Should they see any behavior from you that is contrary to godliness, they will mock your faith.
Our faith in God must be proven by our deeds. When Jesus had an encounter with the Jews about their freedom through Abraham, he argued that they were children of the devil because of what they intended to do to him.
“For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44 NLT
It is not what we claim that proves who we are but what we do. From the text below we can safely say that Christianity is a practice.
“So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:10-11 NLT
If you are saved, prove it through works. Until you prove it, you did not really have an experience with Jesus Christ.
We are not saved by works but through grace which is a gift of God.1 But when salvation has taken place, we prove our salvation through works. The implication is that our works shows whether salvation took place or not. Jesus said that from the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.2
Your words and works are the fruits of what is your heart. You cannot be a tree of two different fruits. You can’t say you are an apple tree yet you bear oranges. You cannot continue to live like nonbelievers and do evil works and have corrupt conversations if you are a child of God.
John said, “Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.” (1 John 3:9-10 NLT)
If we are to convince the world that we are children of God, our works have to change. But they can only change after having a genuine encounter with Jesus Christ. How you come to Jesus Christ really matters. If you came through a promise of good things, the foundation is shaky. When you encounter suffering, you may lose your faith and seek other gods. If you came to Jesus because of miracles, your foundation is also shaky. The sure foundation that stands is one of a broken heart seeking to be made whole by God; one with a void seeking to be filled; one seeking answers and the real meaning of life; one who genuinely realizes their sin and the immense love of God. With former foundation, many take Christianity for granted. Except you experience the power of mercy, you may never live your life as one indebted to God. This is why you see believers with different levels of devotion to the faith of Christ.
Let us prove that we are children of God through our works. Believing in Christ Jesus starts from the heart and flows through our works. What you do either identifies you with God no or with the devil.
Finally, Apostle Paul warned that there will be a falling away from the faith.3 The only way to hold on to the faith is by practicing what we believe. Practice strengthens our faith and makes us grow in the knowledge of Christ Jesus. For instance, when we practice brotherly love through forgiveness, there is an experience we encounter that gives us the thirst for more of God’s presence. Similarly, when we practice giving there is a fulfillment that our hearts experience that gives us a longing to do more.
Brethren I admonish you to prove that you are a child of God in conversation, conduct, dressing and how you treat other people. Let what we profess be proven by what we do.