I see faith as trust+obedience. If we refer to Hebrews 11, the trust part is “the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen.” But I want to focus in on how obedience is integral to this trust. The people listed in Hebrews 11 trusted God enough to obey Him.

“By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was attested to be righteous.” Abel trusted God’s instructions on sacrifices and obeyed. Through this he was accounted righteous.

“By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” Noah believed and trusted God enough to obey His instructions and build an ark. If Noah had not obeyed, would mankind have survived?

“By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going. By faith he lived as a stranger in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Abraham in this instance, trusted God to take care of him and he obeyed His commands to leave his home and go live in another land as a stranger. If he hadn’t gone, would his heirs have received the promised land?

“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and the one who had received the promises was offering up his only son.” Such a command Abraham received! He was to kill his only son, given to him through miraculous means. But Abraham trusted God and obeyed, and would have sacrificed Issac if he had not been stopped at the last moment.

“By faith he (Moses) left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he persevered, as though seeing Him who is unseen.” Moses trusted God and obeyed Him, even though it might cost him his life to return to Egypt.

“By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them.” Moses and the Israelites obeyed God and His wrath passed over them.

“By faith they passed through the Red Sea as through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned.” Moses and the Israelites were faced with a parted Red Sea. It must have been a fearful sight, like nothing they had experience before! Yet they trusted God and obeyed when He told them to pass through the Red Sea.

“By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after the Israelites had marched around them for seven days.” The Israelites obeyed God’s command, which must have sounded really strange...marching around the city walls for days and then shouting to have the walls fall down.

“By faith the prostitute Rahab did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.” Notice the ones who perished were the disobedient ones. Rahab heard about the Israelites’ God, and believed Him. She acted in accordance with Him and His people and was saved.

In James 2 we are told,

But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to acknowledge, you foolish person, that faith without works is useless? Was our father Abraham not justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. In the same way, was Rahab the prostitute not justified by works also when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

I hear so often, “Just believe.” The demons believe God. There has to be some proof that you really believe God. You have to trust Him enough to do what He says. Your faith will be put to the test. Actions are what shows the quality of your faith.