Is Faith an Action Word?

The bible says that the just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17), so then the logical mind then wants to know what is faith? Is my faith Catholic, or Baptist? Also what exactly is faith? And how do I live by it? I once read an author who put it this way: I have a plate of food in front of me and I believe if I eat that plate of food I will be full. Two hours later I still have that plate of food in front of me, and I believe that if I eat it I will be full. Three hours later I am still hungry and I still believe that if I eat this plate of food I will be full. Ok, so what is the obvious answer to this problem? Right, I never picked up the fork, nor did I put any food in my mouth. I see faith as an action word. I believe we can safely say faith is acting on what you believe. I can believe all day long that If I eat this plate of food I will be full, but if I never pick up the fork then it is just a wishful thought with no substance behind it. Put some substance behind what you say you believe. Pick up the fork (whatever it may be), and act on what you say you believe.