Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. A vital way to measure faith is through obedience, as exemplified by Abraham, the Father of the Faithful. God measured Abraham's faith by his willingness to obey, as seen when He declared, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." All the blessings that followed were because Abraham obeyed His voice. Just as God knew the depth of Abraham's faith by his obedience, we can know the depth of our faith by the level of our obedience. Belief and obedience are inseparably linked. The opposite of belief is disobedience, implying that those who believe are obedient, while those who disbelieve are disobedient. Faith works together with actions, and by works, faith is made perfect. Faith that does not lead to obedience is incomplete. True belief is not merely a feeling but a deep commitment to God, evidenced by obedience. Disbelief and disobedience are interchangeable, showing that true faith cannot exist without corresponding actions. Obedience is the evidence of the right kind of belief. When fully understood, the promise of everlasting life is not just to those who hear and believe, but to the doers, to those who also obey. Abraham's faith was completed by his actions, proving that it is in consequence of actions that God reckons a person to be good. Therefore, our level of obedience serves as the test that measures the state of our faith before God.

Faith toward God is a fundamental principle that Christians must continually nurture, moving beyond the initial trust at conversion toward spiritual maturity and completeness. Many profess faith in God but do not truly know Him, as their worship is often based on human doctrines rather than divine truth. True faith begins when God initiates a calling, for man cannot find Him on their own. This faith comes by hearing the Word of God, and those who worship Him must do so in spirit and truth, verifying a preacher's message through Scripture. Expressing faith toward God requires obedience and keeping His law, for without these, faith is dead and worthless. Examples of this living faith are seen in those who believed God's words through true ministers, obeyed His doctrines, and walked in the footsteps of the apostles and Jesus Christ, receiving the earnest of His Spirit toward salvation. However, initial faith is not enough; it must grow into a full-blown conviction, an absolute trust that allows submission to our Sovereign and Provider without wavering. God requires this mature faith, questioning whether even the elect will possess it. We must not draw back but live by faith, recalling our calling and early trials as reminders that He fulfills His promises. Examples of such mature, unwavering faith are found in the faithful of old, who were steadfast in little and followed through when everything was at stake. This living faith, essential for salvation, enables us to please Him and inherit the Kingdom of God.

Worship of God is fundamentally tied to faith and obedience, encompassing every action in our relationship with Him. It is not limited to religious services but reflects in how we live daily—on the job, at home, in marriage, and even in mundane tasks like driving. The respect and deference we show Him in all areas of life demonstrate the value we place on being like Him and pleasing Him. Faith is the foundation of our relationship with God, as it is the substance and assurance of things hoped for. Without faith, it is impossible to please Him. True faith, generated from His Word, anchors our worship. We must worship Him by faith in His sovereignty, providence, and faithfulness, receiving and acting on what He reveals. If we do not receive His Word, it does us no good, as seen with the Israelites who were stiff-necked for not accepting what He said. Obedience, rooted in faith, is exemplified by Abraham, who believed God and acted on His Word, even when commanded to sacrifice his son Isaac. Despite the apparent contradiction with God's command not to kill, Abraham reasoned through his understanding of God's faithfulness, concluding that God would provide or resurrect Isaac. His obedience, driven by faith in God's promises, pleased God, showing that worship is giving back to Him exactly what He instructs. Similarly, Abel's offering was accepted because he acted in faith, following God's instructions, while Cain's was rejected due to disbelief and disobedience, despite his effort and possible sincerity. Abel's way rested on faith in what God said, whereas Cain relied on his own invention, demonstrating that only works arising from faith in God's Word are acceptable. In matters like the calendar, where God has not provided specific rules in His Word, faith and obedience require us to trust in His faithfulness and the authority He has assigned to the Jews for its preservation. Our worship must be based on what He has spoken, not on human invention or assumption. Regardless of human unfaithfulness, God's faithfulness ensures that He provides for His children, and responding to His Word prepares us for His Kingdom.