Belief in Christian terms is the first step of faith. Sometimes people think that belief is all there is to faith. But faith is also an action. What the centurion did is an example of faith in action or faith as an action.

Matthew 8:5-10: Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented." And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him." The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. "For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!"

The centurion went out and found Jesus and asked for help. He believed that Jesus had the power or authority on earth to heal his servant. Action. Action. Action. The centurion could have only believed that Jesus could heal his servant. In that case, nothing would have happened beyond his belief. But he took action in faith and his servant was healed.

It is pointed that the centurion took action because of his faith. That was an instance of faith in action. Faith as an action is also done by living out the fruit of the spirit such as loving thy neighbor as thyself. Doing this takes building your faith through daily reading of the Bible, attending a church that teaches the word of God, and praying daily. These actions taken because you believe in turn build your faith.

It takes action on your part. It is a cycle and if you do your part, Jesus will definitely do his. He will answer your prayers, be with you, and love you. Through developing your relationship with Jesus you will in turn be willing and able to hear his voice and do what he asks you to do in life.