Saints Are People of Action
This Reflection is about the calling to live a faith that moves — a faith expressed not only in belief, but in holy action. Scripture reminds us that we are not saved to sit still, but to walk, to serve, to love, and to reflect the God who first acted toward us with mercy and grace.
These saintly verbs are not burdens but invitations: small, daily ways to imitate our Lord, to bless others, and to let His goodness flow through our hands. Every action, however simple, becomes a seed of grace planted in the world.
James 2:26; Ecclesiastes 12:13; Colossians 3:23–24; Matthew 25:14–30; Philippians 2:13
I want to encourage you all to PRAY — and to pray always. But remember this as well: when you rise to become part of the answer to someone’s prayer, your faith becomes alive in Christ.
Earlier this week I was working on a very unusual project when I suddenly found myself thinking about what I now call saint actions. The thought came to me almost like a spark: all saints of God are saints of action. Not “should be,” but must be.
After all, “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). Faith is not passive. It moves. It acts. It expresses itself in the world.
I began thinking about holy people — nuns, monks, hermits — those who withdraw for seasons of prayer, study, fasting, or preparation. There is nothing wrong with that. In fact, it’s necessary. We all need time to get our own house in order. But at some point, all that inner work only has meaning when it is applied.
Otherwise… what use are we to anyone? What use are we to God?
Scripture warns us about being unprofitable servants. Romans 3:10–12 reminds us that humanity begins in that state. Luke 17:7–10 shows servants who only did the bare minimum. And Matthew 25:30 gives the sobering end of the servant who buried his talent.
But Scripture also shows us the alternative: “Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13) And again: “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:23–24)
This is where the Second Greatest Commandment comes in — loving our neighbor. That’s where our actions meet the world.
I thought about the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). We all want to be like the first two servants — the ones who did something with what they were given. Not the one who hid his gift in the ground.
Because saying these things is one thing. Doing them is another.
Sometimes we sit and think, “I’d like to apply what I’ve learned,” but only a few ideas come to mind. Like an architect with two degrees who never builds anything because the projects seem too big or too complicated. Yet he could still use his knowledge on smaller, meaningful works.
Instead of staying with that example, my mind returned to the actions themselves — the verbs, the doings, the workings. And I realized something: the list itself is helpful.
As I defined each action, I began matching them with Scripture. And then something unexpected happened: I noticed that many of these verbs describe what God does for us.
My first thought was, “Well, those are God’s actions, not ours — I should remove them.” But then it hit me: that’s exactly what godliness is — imitating Him. Reflecting Him. Doing for others what He has done for us.
So I kept them all.
Because we are not here for ourselves. We are here for God, and for others. And in serving others, we reflect our Holy God.
So I prepared a list of saintly actions — verbs to contemplate, examine, and most importantly, practice. You don’t need a follow‑up lesson. If you search your heart and walk through these actions, you will find something you can do for someone else, for the Lord, and ultimately for your own good.
Below is the list.
“As you read these actions, pay attention to the one that stirs your heart — that may be the Spirit showing you your next step.”
Don’t rush. Let your heart pause on the action that feels like it’s calling you. Often the Spirit highlights the very thing someone around you needs — a neighbor, a friend, a family member, or even your church. Sometimes the action is small, simple, or unexpected, but if it stands out to you, pay attention. That may be your next step of obedience. And remember: some of these actions are not for others at all, but for God Himself.
To help out, here is a random saint action:
Consecrate
Any time you look at this Reflection or reload this page, a new action will appear. Maybe one of them will spark something in your heart — a small beginning, a simple step, a way to put this teaching into practice. I truly hope it helps you get started.
🕊️ Mercy & Compassion
Actions that relieve suffering, offer kindness, or extend emotional care.
Forgive — release resentment
Matthew 6:14 — “For if ye forgive men their trespasses…”
Comfort — ease sorrow
2 Corinthians 1:3–4 — God “comforteth us… that we may be able to comfort them.”
Console — support the grieving
Isaiah 61:2 — “to comfort all that mourn.”
Soothe — calm distress
Psalm 23:2 — “He leadeth me beside the still waters.”
Relieve — ease pain or burden
Matthew 11:28 — “Come unto me… and I will give you rest.”
Befriend — extend companionship
Proverbs 18:24 — “a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”
Encourage — give courage or hope
1 Thessalonians 5:11 — “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another.”
Brighten — lift someone’s mood
Proverbs 15:30 — “The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart.”
Nourish — feed body or spirit
Psalm 23:1 — “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Heal — mend wounds
Psalm 147:3 — “He healeth the broken in heart.”
Appease — calm or pacify
Proverbs 15:1 — “A soft answer turneth away wrath.”
Cherish — hold with deep affection
Ephesians 5:29 — “nourisheth and cherisheth it.”
✨ Holiness, Sacred Action & Devotion
Actions tied to ritual, sanctity, and spiritual dedication.
Bless — confer divine favor
Numbers 6:24 — “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee.”
Sanctify — make holy
John 17:17 — “Sanctify them through thy truth.”
Consecrate — dedicate as sacred
Exodus 28:41 — “thou shalt… consecrate them.”
Anoint — consecrate with oil
Psalm 23:5 — “thou anointest my head with oil.”
Benedict — offer a blessing
“Benedict” isn’t a KJV verb, but “bless” covers the meaning.
Psalm 103:1 — “Bless the LORD, O my soul.”
Venerate — regard with reverence
Closest KJV expression: honor / reverence
Hebrews 12:28 — “serve God acceptably with reverence.”
Praise — express reverence
Psalm 150:6 — “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD.”
Adore — love with devotion
KJV uses “worship” for this sense.
Psalm 95:6 — “O come, let us worship and bow down.”
Devote — commit wholeheartedly
Romans 12:1 — “present your bodies a living sacrifice.”
Purify — cleanse spiritually
Psalm 51:7 — “purge me… and I shall be clean.”
Exalt — glorify or lift up
Psalm 34:3 — “let us exalt his name together.”
Rejoice — express holy joy
Philippians 4:4 — “Rejoice in the Lord alway.”
🌿 Moral Growth & Virtue Formation
Actions that shape character, strengthen goodness, or cultivate wisdom.
Cultivate — nurture virtue
2 Peter 1:5–6 — “add to your faith virtue… knowledge… temperance…”
Discern — perceive truth
Hebrews 5:14 — “senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
Edify — uplift morally
1 Thessalonians 5:11 — “edify one another.”
Elevate — raise dignity or spirit
Closest KJV expression: lift up
Psalm 3:3 — “the lifter up of mine head.”
Fortify — strengthen morally
Ephesians 6:10 — “be strong in the Lord.”
Enlighten — illuminate understanding
Psalm 19:8 — “the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.”
Impart — share wisdom
Romans 1:11 — “impart unto you some spiritual gift.”
Inspire — breathe courage into others
Closest KJV expression: stir up / strengthen
2 Timothy 1:6 — “stir up the gift of God.”
Reflect — think deeply
Psalm 77:12 — “I will meditate also of all thy work.”
Kindle — spark devotion or hope
Psalm 39:3 — “my heart was hot within me… the fire burned.”
Honor — show deep respect
Romans 12:10 — “in honour preferring one another.”
🌟 Redemption, Restoration & Justice
Actions that repair, rescue, or restore dignity.
Redeem — restore worth
Psalm 130:7 — “with him is plenteous redemption.”
Reconcile — restore harmony
2 Corinthians 5:18 — “God… hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.”
Atone — make amends
Closest KJV expression: make reconciliation / make atonement
Leviticus 16:30 — “to make an atonement for you.”
Absolve — release from guilt
Closest KJV expression: forgive / remit sins
Acts 10:43 — “remission of sins.”
Deliver — rescue from harm
Psalm 34:17 — “the LORD… delivereth them out of all their troubles.”
Justify — make righteous
Romans 5:1 — “being justified by faith.”
Defend — protect the vulnerable
Psalm 82:3 — “defend the poor and fatherless.”
🙏🏼 Contemplation, Prayer & Inner Life
Actions of reflection, meditation, and spiritual communion.
Meditate — dwell in stillness
Psalm 1:2 — “in his law doth he meditate day and night.”
Contemplate — reflect with reverence
Closest KJV expression: consider / behold
Psalm 8:3 — “when I consider thy heavens…”
Commune — share spiritual connection
Psalm 4:4 — “commune with your own heart.”
Witness — embody truth
Acts 1:8 — “ye shall be witnesses unto me.”
Testify — speak truth
Revelation 12:11 — “they overcame… by the word of their testimony.”
Invite — welcome spiritual presence
Closest KJV expression: call upon / draw near
James 4:8 — “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.”
Convert — turn toward a new path
Acts 3:19 — “Repent ye therefore, and be converted.”
Illuminate — bring clarity
Closest KJV expression: give light / enlighten
Psalm 119:130 — “giveth light; it giveth understanding.”
🤲 Service, Guidance & Care for Others
Actions that express leadership, support, and selfless action.
Serve — act selflessly
Galatians 5:13 — “By love serve one another.
Guide — lead toward wisdom
Psalm 32:8 — “I will instruct thee and teach thee… I will guide thee.”
Minister — care for those in need
Hebrews 6:10 — “God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love… which ye have ministered.”
Shepherd — guide with gentleness
1 Peter 5:2 — “Feed the flock of God which is among you.”
Offer — give freely
Hebrews 13:16 — “To do good and to communicate forget not.”
Uplift — raise spirits
Isaiah 35:3 — “Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.”
Listen — attend with compassion
James 1:19 — “Let every man be swift to hear.”
🔥 Joy, Celebration & Spiritual Expression
Actions that express gratitude, joy, or communal celebration.
Celebrate — honor with joy
Psalm 118:24 — “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Hope — trust in goodness
Romans 15:13 — “The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing.”
Rejoice — express holy joy
Philippians 4:4 — “Rejoice in the Lord alway.”
Praise — express reverence
Psalm 150:6 — “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD.”
May the Lord stir your heart toward holy actions.
May He strengthen your hands, guide your steps, and fill your days with opportunities to reflect His goodness.
And as you walk in these saintly actions, may you find joy in serving others and peace in serving Him.
Go now and live these actions. Let your faith move, your love work, and your life reflect the God who first acted for you. May every small deed become a seed of grace.
May the God who works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure strengthen you for every good work. Walk in His ways, imitate His mercy, and let your light shine before others that they may glorify your Father in heaven.
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