Faith isn't something you possess, it's something you demonstrate. "Let them see your faith!" Your creed must be translated into deeds, be authentic, growing, and living. Anyone can claim faith, but it can be bogus! However, as James said, "Faith without works is dead" (cf. James 2:17). Anyone can make a profession of faith; however, the reality of faith is seen by deeds, or it's for naught. Faith and works are distinguished, but not separated, because they go hand in hand.
Faith isn't a feeling, either: It's not about being on a perpetual religious high or on Cloud Nine. One can even profess to know God, according to Paul in Titus 1:16, but deny Him by their works, or be a virtual practical atheist, living as if God isn't for real in your life. Faith has to be confirmed and validated by one's works, which are its evidence, not its substitute. Faith, not feelings, please God, "For without faith it is impossible to please God," according to Heb. 11:6. The Real McCoy is obedient as Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, "Only he who believes is obedient; only he who is obedient believes."
We must be obedient to the spirit of the Law, not just the letter, deceiving ourselves as hypocrites. Paul and James both saw the correlation between faith and works in juxtaposition: "I'll show you my faith by my works," says James; while Paul stated: "I'll show you my works by my faith." These statements are only complementary, not contradictory. We are not judged by our faith (faith is a gift rendered to each of us per Rom. 12:3), but God renders us according to our works (cf. Romans 2:6). We shall know them by their fruits or deeds! Paul mentioned the "obedience of faith," and how we must bring it to fruition or follow-through as being sincere, "unhypocritical," and unfeigned faith, but not perfect faith, which is not attainable. They say we are "obedient to the faith." It's not how big your faith is, but how genuine it is, and in whom it is placed! "I know whom I have believed...." (cf. 2 Tim. 1:12, emphasis mine).
All in all, faith is also a choice we make, because there is ample evidence for everyone who desires it, and no one has an excuse not to believe; it is an act of the will as God works it in us and we follow through with good deeds unto salvation. We have sound reasons to believe; however, you have to want to have faith! We have to be convinced in our minds before we can believe in our hearts, though. And just like deciding to love (agape love), we decide to believe.
We are not under the law (per Rom. 6:14), nor do we merely obey the letter of the law, but the Spirit of it in love, as the fulfillment of the law. Faith, as our expression, isn't a badge to be worn, but the gift of God, which we take no credit for: It is received, not achieved. If faith were a work, we'd have something to boast of and to merit; however, all the glory goes to God in our salvation and it is grace from beginning to end as we proceed from faith to faith (cf. Rom. 1:17)! Soli Deo Gloria!
Faith isn't a feeling, either: It's not about being on a perpetual religious high or on Cloud Nine. One can even profess to know God, according to Paul in Titus 1:16, but deny Him by their works, or be a virtual practical atheist, living as if God isn't for real in your life. Faith has to be confirmed and validated by one's works, which are its evidence, not its substitute. Faith, not feelings, please God, "For without faith it is impossible to please God," according to Heb. 11:6. The Real McCoy is obedient as Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, "Only he who believes is obedient; only he who is obedient believes."
We must be obedient to the spirit of the Law, not just the letter, deceiving ourselves as hypocrites. Paul and James both saw the correlation between faith and works in juxtaposition: "I'll show you my faith by my works," says James; while Paul stated: "I'll show you my works by my faith." These statements are only complementary, not contradictory. We are not judged by our faith (faith is a gift rendered to each of us per Rom. 12:3), but God renders us according to our works (cf. Romans 2:6). We shall know them by their fruits or deeds! Paul mentioned the "obedience of faith," and how we must bring it to fruition or follow-through as being sincere, "unhypocritical," and unfeigned faith, but not perfect faith, which is not attainable. They say we are "obedient to the faith." It's not how big your faith is, but how genuine it is, and in whom it is placed! "I know whom I have believed...." (cf. 2 Tim. 1:12, emphasis mine).
All in all, faith is also a choice we make, because there is ample evidence for everyone who desires it, and no one has an excuse not to believe; it is an act of the will as God works it in us and we follow through with good deeds unto salvation. We have sound reasons to believe; however, you have to want to have faith! We have to be convinced in our minds before we can believe in our hearts, though. And just like deciding to love (agape love), we decide to believe.
We are not under the law (per Rom. 6:14), nor do we merely obey the letter of the law, but the Spirit of it in love, as the fulfillment of the law. Faith, as our expression, isn't a badge to be worn, but the gift of God, which we take no credit for: It is received, not achieved. If faith were a work, we'd have something to boast of and to merit; however, all the glory goes to God in our salvation and it is grace from beginning to end as we proceed from faith to faith (cf. Rom. 1:17)! Soli Deo Gloria!