FORMING OUR FAITH

Scripture is not the only thing that produces and forms our faith. Hearing the voice of the Lord, prayer (especially contemplative), generous acts of giving, silence and solitude can all be formative for our faith. The apostle James wrote, “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?”

It not only matters what we know, it matters what we do with what we know. Our faith rests in both knowing and doing. As our faith is formed, our works should follow.

“Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” Jesus