“For the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:26

I’ll never forget the first time I walked toward an altar. My heart pounded with a mix of fear and longing. Slowly, my hands lifted in surrender, even as an ankle monitor clung to my leg - a reminder of the consequences of my second DUI. My only hope was to surrender to Jesus. 

That day, I experienced His grace in a way I never had before. In an instant, He freed me from my obsession with alcohol. I walked out of that sanctuary a new person, eager to live in the freedom He had given me.

But my story didn’t end there. That altar moment was not the finish line - it was the starting point. Jesus showed me that faith is not just a one-time decision; it’s a daily commitment to walk with Him. I couldn’t leave the church, return to my old habits, and expect a different outcome. My faith needed to be lived out in action - in choosing new friends, healthier rhythms, and accountability. 

Faith without works is like a body without breath. I had faith in God, but I also needed to partner with Him in rebuilding my life. Each step of obedience - no matter how small - became an act of worship. 

Friend, maybe you’ve had your own altar moment, or perhaps you’re longing for one. Remember this: Jesus meets us in our brokenness, but He calls us to walk with Him into something new. Faith begins in surrender, but it grows as we act in obedience, one step at a time.