Faith in Action: Living with Purpose and Integrity
Summary
Nike’s “Just Do It” campaign wasn’t just about selling shoes—it was about inspiring people to act, to show up, and to live with determination. In the same way, James, writing to the early church, calls us to a faith that is active and visible. Faith is not just something to be believed or talked about; it’s something to be lived out, day by day, in the choices we make, the words we speak, and the way we treat others. James urges us to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only,” reminding us that faith is a way of life, not just a set of beliefs.
The first mark of a faith that shows up is discipline in our words. Words have the power to heal or to harm, to build up or to tear down. James challenges us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. This discipline isn’t just about what we say in person, but also what we post online. Before we speak or hit “send,” we must ask: do these words heal, or do they hurt? Our words reveal what’s in our hearts, and if we want to grow in faith, we must train ourselves to use words as instruments of grace.
The second mark is the alignment of our actions with our beliefs. James uses the image of someone looking in a mirror and forgetting their own face to illustrate the danger of self-deception. It’s easy to claim faith, but if our actions don’t reflect the love and justice of Christ, our faith is empty. God isn’t impressed by our theology if our neighbors aren’t blessed by our love. Faith must be lived out in tangible ways, not just professed with our lips.
Finally, James calls us to integrity, especially in how we care for the marginalized. In his day, widows and orphans were the most powerless members of society. Today, the marginalized might include immigrants, refugees, the LGBTQ community, those with mental illness, or children in war zones. If our faith doesn’t move us to care for those on the margins, James says it is “worthless.” True faith is uncomfortable with injustice and compels us to act.
We are all works in progress, and none of us have arrived at perfection. But the invitation is to grow together, to let our faith be so loud in action that we barely need to speak it. Words matter—so heal with your speech. Actions matter—so love with your life. Integrity matters—so serve the forgotten. Our faith offers something far greater than any marketing campaign: it offers eternal purpose. So what are we waiting for? Just do it.
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Key Takeaways
- Words as Instruments of Grace: The discipline of being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger is foundational to a life of faith. Our words are either weapons or medicine, and every interaction is an opportunity to choose healing over harm. The way we speak—both in person and online—reveals the true state of our hearts and shapes the world around us. [06:54]
- Self-Knowledge and Authenticity: It’s possible to deceive ourselves about who we are, especially when our actions don’t match our professed beliefs. James warns that faith without action is like forgetting your own face in a mirror. True self-knowledge comes from honest self-examination and a willingness to align our lives with the teachings of Christ, not just our words. [09:29]
- Faith Expressed in Action: God is not impressed by empty words or theological correctness if our lives do not reflect love and justice. The call is to be doers of the word, letting our actions speak louder than our professions of faith. Living faith means showing up for others, especially when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable. [12:46]
- Integrity Through Care for the Marginalized: James defines pure religion as caring for those who are powerless and marginalized. In every generation, the faces of the marginalized change, but the call remains the same: to serve, advocate, and stand with those whom society overlooks or oppresses. If our faith does not make us uncomfortable with injustice, it is time to re-examine its authenticity. [15:33]
- Growth is a Lifelong Journey: None of us have arrived at perfection; we are all on a journey of becoming more like Christ. The process of internal audit—honestly assessing our words, actions, and care for the marginalized—keeps us humble and open to growth. The invitation is not to settle for passive belief, but to join together in a faith that shows up, again and again. [18:44]
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Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:32] - The Power of Slogans: Nike’s “Just Do It”
[03:45] - Walt Stack: The Unlikely Hero
[05:01] - James’ Call to Active Faith
[06:54] - Words Matter: Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak
[08:09] - The Discipline of the Tongue
[09:29] - The Mirror: Self-Knowledge and Deception
[10:55] - Internal Audit: Words and Listening
[12:46] - Actions Matter: Faith Lived Out
[14:10] - Preach the Gospel with Your Life
[15:33] - Integrity and Caring for the Marginalized
[17:20] - Who Are the Marginalized Today?
[18:44] - Internal Audit: Serving the Forgotten
[20:00] - The Invitation: Faith That Shows Up
[21:10] - Just Do It: Living with Eternal Purpose
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: “Just Do It: Faith That Shows Up”
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### Bible Reading
James 1:22-27 (ESV)
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.
24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to James, what is the difference between being a “hearer” and a “doer” of the word? ([05:01])
2. What does James say about the power of our words and the discipline required to control them? ([06:54])
3. In verse 27, who does James specifically mention as needing care, and why were these groups significant in his context? ([15:33])
4. What illustration does James use to describe someone who hears the word but does not act on it? ([10:55])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does James connect the way we use our words to the true state of our hearts? What does this reveal about the relationship between speech and faith? ([09:29])
2. How does self-deception happen in the life of a believer, according to James’ mirror analogy? What are some signs that someone might be deceiving themselves about their faith? ([10:55])
3. Why does James say that faith without action is “worthless”? What does this suggest about the kind of faith God values? ([15:33])
4. In today’s world, who might be considered the “widows and orphans” James refers to, and why is caring for them a mark of true faith? ([17:20])
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### Application Questions
1. Think about your words this past week—both spoken and posted online. Was there a moment when you were quick to speak or slow to listen? What would it look like to pause and ask, “Do these words heal or hurt?” before responding next time? ([06:54])
2. The sermon suggested doing an “internal audit” of how we use our words, our actions, and our care for the marginalized. If you were to rate yourself from 1 to 10 in each area, which one would you most like to grow in, and what is one step you could take this week? ([09:29])
3. Can you recall a time when your actions did not match your beliefs? What helped you recognize the gap, and how did you respond? ([10:55])
4. The sermon mentioned that God isn’t impressed by our theology if our neighbors aren’t blessed by our love. Who is one neighbor (literal or figurative) you could bless this week through a tangible act of love? ([12:46])
5. James calls us to care for the marginalized. Who in your community or city might be overlooked or powerless? What is one practical way you or your group could serve or advocate for them this month? ([17:20])
6. The “Just Do It” slogan is about showing up and taking action. What is one area of your faith where you’ve been hesitant to act? What’s holding you back, and what would it look like to “just do it” this week? ([21:10])
7. The sermon reminded us that growth is a lifelong journey and none of us have “arrived.” How can you invite someone else to join you in growing together in faith, accountability, or service? ([18:44])
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Closing Thought:
Our faith is meant to be seen, heard, and felt by those around us—not just believed in private. Let’s encourage each other to let our faith “show up” in our words, our actions, and our care for those on the margins. What’s one thing you’ll do differently this week because of what you’ve heard?
Devotional
Day 1: Faith Is Active—Just Do It
Faith is not a passive belief but a call to action; it is about showing up, living out what you profess, and letting your life reflect your convictions. Like the Nike slogan, “Just Do It,” the Christian life is about more than words or intentions—it’s about consistently putting faith into practice, even when it’s difficult or inconvenient. The invitation is to move beyond excuses and to let your faith be seen in your daily choices, so that your actions speak louder than your declarations. [05:01]
James 1:22 (ESV)
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Reflection: What is one area of your faith you’ve been putting off acting on—how can you “just do it” today, even in a small way?
Day 2: Words Matter—Heal with Your Speech
The words you choose have the power to heal or to harm, to build up or to tear down. James urges believers to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, reminding us that discipline in speech is a mark of spiritual maturity. Before you speak or post, ask yourself if your words will bring healing or hurt, and remember that your tongue reveals what is truly in your heart. [06:54]
James 1:19-20, 26 (ESV)
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God… If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
Reflection: Before you speak or post today, pause and ask: Will these words heal or hurt? Can you choose to speak words that bring life to someone around you?
Day 3: Actions Matter—Love with Your Life
It is not enough to profess faith with your lips; your actions must align with your beliefs. True faith is demonstrated by living out the gospel daily, blessing your neighbors, and letting your love be visible in tangible ways. If your actions do not reflect your faith, then your religion is empty—God is not impressed by words alone, but by a life that embodies love and service. [10:55]
James 1:23-25 (ESV)
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
Reflection: Think of one way your actions can better reflect your faith today—what is a specific act of love or service you can do for someone in your community?
Day 4: Integrity Matters—Serve the Marginalized
A faith that is pure and undefiled is one that cares for the powerless and the marginalized—those whom society often overlooks or excludes. James calls us to serve orphans, widows, and all who are vulnerable, reminding us that if our faith does not move us to action for justice and compassion, it is worthless. Let your integrity be seen in how you stand with and serve those on the margins. [13:45]
James 1:27 (ESV)
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Reflection: Who is someone marginalized in your community that you can reach out to or support this week? What is one concrete step you can take to serve them?
Day 5: Growth Is a Journey—Embrace Room for Improvement
No one has arrived at perfection; the journey of faith is one of continual growth, self-examination, and openness to change. There is always room to become more disciplined in speech, more loving in action, and more compassionate in service. Rather than being discouraged by imperfection, let it inspire you to keep growing, knowing that God’s grace meets you in every step forward. [16:40]
Philippians 3:12-14 (ESV)
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Reflection: In which area—words, actions, or serving the marginalized—do you sense God inviting you to grow? What is one step you can take this week to move forward on your journey?
Quotes
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