Reading: There was a young boy who grew up in the Dominican Republic, who lived a life filled with much adversity. His father was an alcoholic and he was forced to live with numerous relatives, but he absolutely loved the game of baseball. Even from an early age, he had a special talent and was physically gifted on the diamond. However, money was tight in his household, to the point where the boy couldn’t even afford a glove to play with. He eventually got to the point where he made a glove out of a milk carton just to practice and become a better player. He would eventually become a future Hall of Famer. His name is Albert Pujols.

Playing in the Major Leagues takes a special talent — a God given talent. However, ability alone doesn’t give these players a first-class ticket to the MLB city of their choosing. It takes using and refining that talent, along with the ability to become a great player. Hundreds upon hundreds of hours of batting practice, fielding grounders and working out leads guys to achieving their dream of becoming the best.

In an even greater way, we as believers in Christ have been given a special gift. It may not be the ability to hit a baseball 400 feet or throw it 100 mph, but instead, God himself revealed to us our need for a Savior. He offered us a relationship with him and forgiveness from all our wrongs. As we have discussed, this relationship leads to an incomparable grace and peace that this world cannot even begin to offer. We are brought into communion with God himself and begin to know his character.

So, the Bible says our faith can’t and shouldn’t stop with simply knowing about God. In fact, Peter says in 2 Peter 1:8 that it is possible to be “ineffective and unproductive in our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” James echoes this language in James 2:17 saying, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” Our salvation was meant to result in action in daily practice.

In the book of John, Jesus speaks on this same subject – using an illustration with vines and branches. He says in chapter 15 verse 5, “I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” So not only does the Bible say our faith can’t stop with simply knowing about Christ, but Jesus himself says that our faith won’t stop with knowing him if we are truly rooted in his saving grace.

Peter even goes on to mention specific “fruits” that we should see when we “work out” our faith: goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness and love. All of these work together, building upon one another and are vital to a healthy walk with Christ. They are not all captured in one moment, just as no one picks up a bat for the first time and immediately begins to hit homeruns. Instead, as we continue to walk in obedience with the Lord, God gives birth to new desires for these things in our lives. 

God has enabled us — by his Spirit — to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). Our faith impacts our thoughts, our actions, our words, and our love for others. By his grace, God will mold us and shape us into Christ’s image as evident by the fruit of our faith. Will you put your faith to practice?

Reflection: Where are areas of your life that you need to practice your faith?

Prayer Prompt: Lord, thank you for who you are. Thank you that all we need can be found in you. Father — teach me how to work out my faith. Remind me to stay rooted in you, as apart from you I can do nothing! Teach me to lean into your strength and not my own. Help me see opportunities around me to put my faith into action, and give me the courage to trust you. Allow me to see that my greatest joy is found in living a life for you. Open my eyes to the goodness of your Word and soften my heart to be molded by you. Thank you for saving me and loving me even in the depths of my sin. You are such a good Father!