Our Christian Walk: Living out Your Faith!

More Than a Private Matter!

In the life of every believer, there comes a moment of realisation—our faith cannot remain hidden within us. Just as the gifts of the Holy Spirit manifest outwardly, our Christian Walk must be visible to the world around us. This truth carries profound implications for how we live out our faith daily.

The Outward Expression of Inward Faith

The Apostle Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, describes nine spiritual gifts that manifest God's power through believers. These gifts—wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment of spirits, speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues—are all outward expressions of God's inner work.

"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." (1 Corinthians 12:7 KJV)

Notice the word "manifestation"—it implies something visible, tangible, and observable. These gifts aren't meant to remain dormant within us but to be exercised for the edification of the Church and as a testimony to unbelievers.

Similarly, our entire Christian Walk must follow this pattern. Jesus made this abundantly clear:

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16 KJV)

Faith Without Works Is Dead

James provides one of the most direct challenges to an internally focused faith:

"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." (James 2:14-17 KJV)

The imagery is striking—a faith that doesn't express itself externally through action is as useful as offering warm wishes to a hungry person without providing food. It simply doesn't accomplish what faith is designed to do.

Later, James reinforces this with a powerful declaration: "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (James 2:26 KJV)

The Fruit of the Spirit: Internal Growth, External Evidence

Paul speaks of the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). These qualities begin as internal transformations but inevitably manifest externally.

Consider love, the first fruit listed. While love begins in the heart, it must express itself through action:

"My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." (1 John 3:18 KJV)

True spiritual fruit cannot remain hidden. Jesus taught, "Ye shall know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:16 KJV), indicating that genuine spiritual life produces visible evidence.

The Early Church: Faith on Display

The book of Acts provides a vivid picture of externally focused Christianity. After Pentecost, the believers didn't simply enjoy their newfound faith privately. Instead:

"And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." (Acts 2:46-47 KJV)

Their faith was visible in community, worship, generosity, and service. This external manifestation of their faith attracted others to Christ.

When Peter and John healed the lame man at the temple gate, they didn't merely pray silently—they took action, spoke boldly, and publicly proclaimed Christ, even when faced with opposition (Acts Chapters 3 & 4 KJV).

The Dangers of an Internal-Only Faith

Jesus reserved some of his harshest criticism for those whose faith was disconnected from their actions:

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness." (Matthew 23:27 KJV)

The Pharisees had the appearance of religiosity but lacked the transformative power that expresses itself in genuine love, mercy, and justice. Their faith was all show with no substance.

Conversely, an entirely private faith—one kept completely internal—risks becoming self-deceptive:

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." (James 1:22 KJV)

Living It Out: Practical Applications

How do we ensure our faith manifests externally? The Scriptures provide clear guidance:

1. Be bold in witnessing: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth." (Romans 1:16 KJV)
2. Serve others tangibly: "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13 KJV)
3. Practice hospitality: "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2 KJV)
4. Share resources: "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" (1 John 3:17 KJV)
5. Speak truth in love: "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ." (Ephesians 4:15 KJV)

Faith That Transforms the World

Our Christian Walk cannot remain internal—it must be external. Like salt that flavours and preserves, like light that illuminates darkness, our faith must impact the world around us.

The early disciples were accused of "turning the world upside down" (Acts 17:6 KJV). This wasn't accomplished through private devotion alone, but through bold proclamation, sacrificial service, and visible love.

As we consider the nine gifts of the Spirit and their outward manifestation, let's be challenged to express our faith tangibly. Let's move beyond merely believing the right things to doing the right things—letting our light shine before others, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven.

After all, a Christianity that doesn't change how we live isn't the Christianity of the New Testament. As Paul declared, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV)

May our faith be evident not just in our words, but in our actions, attitudes, and the very way we live our lives—external manifestations of the internal transformation Christ has worked in us…

Key Takeaways:

• Just as the nine spiritual gifts are outward manifestations of God's power, our entire Christian Walk should be externally visible.
• James teaches that faith without works is dead—genuine faith inevitably expresses itself through action.
• Jesus called believers to be "light" & "salt"—both elements that visibly impact their surroundings.
• The early church demonstrated faith through community, generosity, bold proclamation, and sacrificial service.
• Our faith must move beyond internal beliefs to external actions that glorify God and draw others to Christ.