Active Faith
A true and living faith is demonstrated by our actions towards others, not just our words or profession.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the necessity of active faith, warning against the tendency to use prayer as a substitute for action. He critiques the hypocrisy of offering prayers for those in need without taking tangible steps to help them, referencing James and John's teachings on the importance of love expressed through deeds. Tozer argues that true faith manifests in both prayer and service, urging believers to engage in faith-filled actions rather than relying solely on religious words. He concludes that a proper understanding of faith leads to an increase in godly works and a deeper connection to the teachings of the New Testament.
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In practice we may detect the subtle (and often unconscious) substitution when we hear a Christian assure someone that he will "pray over" his problem, knowing full well that he intends to use prayer as a substitute for service. It is much easier to pray that a poor friend's needs may be supplied than to supply them. James' words burn with irony:
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? (2:15-16)
And the mystical John sees also the incongruity involved in substituting religion for action:
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence (1 John 3:17-19).
A proper understanding of this whole thing will destroy the false and artificial either/or. Then we will have not less faith but more godly works; not less praying but more serving; not fewer words but more holy deeds; not weaker profession but more courageous possession; not religion as a substitute for action but religion in faith-filled action.
And what is that but to say that we will have come again to the teaching of the New Testament?
Sermon Outline
- The Substitution of Prayer for Service
- The Incongruity of Substituting Religion for Action
- A Proper Understanding of Faith and Works
- Prayer as a Substitute for Action
- The Consequences of Inaction
- The Example of James
- The Teaching of John
- Destroying the Either/Or
- Coming to the Teaching of the New Testament
Key Quotes
“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?” — A.W. Tozer
“Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” — A.W. Tozer
“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- I must not substitute prayer for service in my life, but rather use prayer as a means of seeking God's guidance and power for action.
- True love for God is demonstrated by my actions towards others, not just my words or profession.
- I must seek to balance faith and works in my life, not seeing them as mutually exclusive, but rather complementary aspects of a living faith.