It is sadly a fact of life. It is tragically too common to be ignored. It is unfortunately a reality we see more often than not. I’m referring to the practice of those who follow Jesus (or claim to) and who live a life opposite of what they profess. In other words: what they say does not match how they live.

I’m the #1 example.

Way too often my life does not back my words. I stand in the pulpit and say, “Trust” but then I doubt. I stand in the pulpit and say, “God’s in charge” but then question. You get the point. As Tripp says:

The belief of the heart and mind is an essential ingredient of faith, but it does not summarize all that faith is. True biblical faith is always something I live. If my faith does not reshape my life, it is not true faith.

How does it do that? Tripp says three ways. I like these so I am just going to include them as he gives them.

1. Faith redirects and recaptures the worship of the heart.
2. Faith produces a heart of obedience in me.
3. Faith causes me to submit to the calling of God.

“Father, may my faith produce a heart of worship in me. A heart which longs for you. Produce in me a heart of worship; a heart that longs to be obedient; and a heart that longs to submit to your call on my life. May my faith direct my actions and may my actions back up my faith.”