“Let us firmly hold the profession of our faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23 Modern English Version.
Today’s teaching focuses on the crucial aspect of putting your persistent faith to work. Faith without works is dead, as stated in James 2:17 (NIV): “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” Persistent faith always requires corresponding action.
The Power of Persistent Faith in Action
The Bible highlights the importance of active faith in James 2:17-26 (NIV), which emphasizes the necessity of works accompanying faith: “But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds… You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.”
The Exploits of Persistent Faith
Hebrews 11:33-35 (NIV) catalogs the exploits of men and women of old who added corresponding action to their persistent faith and obtained a good report: “Who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again.”
Persistent faith without works cannot be called faith because a dead faith is worse than no faith at all. Persistent faith must work; it must produce; it must be visible.
A Mandate of Faith: The Birth of COPE
Exactly nine years ago, I received a mandate from the Lord that led to the creation of COPE (City Of Philadelphia Esperanza), the community outreach arm of our church ministry, ROYAL ENVOYS INC. COPE is committed to visiting with help and ministering genuine care to the homeless, whom we call Honored Guests, in the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From the beginning, we ventured in persistent faith, undertaking weekly Sunday night visits to our Honored Guests where they are—downtown Philadelphia and the train stations—throughout the year, including during the lockdowns when many services shut down.
Faith in Action: Meeting Needs Persistently
We have never lacked supplies, which include food, drinks, clothing, blankets, socks, shoes on demand, and whatever needs arise. Through the help of God, we have continued this mission to this day. We started in faith by preparing the food ourselves, and God opened doors, such as a partnership with Wawa Store, where we collect prepared food for free to continue our work.
Persistent Faith with Corresponding Action
It was not only persistent faith that produced these results, but persistent faith coupled with corresponding action. As the Scripture teaches, faith without works is dead, and our actions have demonstrated the living, active faith that God calls us to.
The Call to Active Faith
Our journey with COPE is a testament to what can be achieved when persistent faith is put to work. By taking steps of faith and following them with action, we have seen God’s provision and miracles in our ministry. Let us be inspired by the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11:33-35 and follow their example by coupling our persistent faith with corresponding actions, living out a vibrant, victorious faith that impacts lives and glorifies God.
