VERB: Action, state, or occurrence.
NOUN: People, places, or things.
In the early years after I gave my life to Jesus and before my complete surrender, my faith was a NOUN because I had not fully released control to him. I was playing it safe. Little prayer. Little commitment. Little action. My faith was a NOUN.
Every believer—me, you, everyone—has a grip on some level of control that we have not fully released to God. Releasing that control is hard but essential, and the timing is perfect as move into a new year and ask God for direction in 2025.
This is the time—right now—to turn our faith into a VERB and take the next step in our faith walk.
The good news? God doesn’t demand giant leaps. He just asks us to move—toward him, toward spiritual maturity. Even small steps matter.
The Apostle Paul shows us how faith as a verb works. He didn’t claim perfection; instead, he wrote:
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14
Paul’s faith was active, dynamic, a constant pursuit of Christlikeness. He acknowledged being a work-in-progress, yet never stopped striving. That’s the example for all of us—making progress, content that we will never achieve perfection.
Faith Frozen in Place
I’ve experienced seasons of frozen faith, and it’s agonizing. Inaction creates a cauldron of despair that boils the soul. If we don’t move closer to God, we’ll slide into chasing the world.
I’ve lived this. Early in my faith walk, I let complacency and the allure of worldly success replace an active pursuit of God. My faith became stagnant, and the result was emptiness.
Take the First Step
Faith as a VERB requires action:
• Prayer that challenges. Not just words, but heartfelt connection with God.
• Service that stretches. Step into opportunities that feel just beyond your comfort zone.
• Obedience that costs. Saying yes to God’s call, even when it requires sacrifice.
I thank God for helping me swap my quest for perfection for a focus on being a work-in-progress. He turned my faith into a VERB, keeping me striving for growth (Philippians 3:12).
What About You?
As we approach 2025, ask yourself:
• Is your faith a VERB or a NOUN?
• What step do you need to take to move closer to God?
Start by releasing one area of control to him. Then let your faith guide your actions every day.
“I do not claim that I have already succeeded or become perfect. I keep striving to win the prize for which Christ Jesus has already won me to Himself.” —Philippians 3:12
