As Christians we understand that it is impossible to separate faith from life. Every aspect of life is impacted by faith. Faith dictates conduct. The Scriptures could not be clearer. Paul wrote to the church at Philippi: Only let your conversation [conduct] be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel (Philippians 1:27). There it is. Conduct must be governed by the Gospel.

Religion is validated not simply by what we say but by what we do. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world (James 1:27). The apostle John asked: 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). He then went on to admonish: My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18). It is not enough to talk a good religion, we must live it!

Faith dictates how we deal with each other. It was Jesus who said, Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets (Matthew 7:12). Believers understand that it is not how people treat us, but how we treat them that matters. We must be patient, considerate and kind even when those around us are not.

It is faith that determines what we value. Believers recognize the importance of seeking first the kingdom (Matthew 6:33), letting Christ have first place in our lives (Colossians 1:18), and fearing God and keeping His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Jesus asked, For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:26). Life isn't about what we have but what we are!

We cannot divorce faith from life. Faith is betrayed by unholy living. Faith is validated by a godly life!