What is Real Faith?
WHAT IS REAL FAITH
What is real faith? When you say the word – “faith” there are many different thoughts and ideas that run through the minds of people. It means different things to different people. I know many who are people of faith but don’t live by it. I know faithful believers who love the Lord, but don’t have a grasp of what real faith is.
Saved by Faith
Any person who has truly been born again had to have genuine faith to receive Christ. However, it goes beyond being born again. The Apostle Paul writing to Timothy said, “The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.” (1Tim. 1:5 NLT)
Notice Paul is writing to believers. The issue here is not if a person is saved but whether or not they are living their life by faith. Paul is dealing with the issue of faith as a follower of Christ. The question I have for you, is as a believer do you have – “GENUINE FAITH”? Are you living and walking out life with genuine faith? Genuine means – to be authentic or real. Other translations call it “sincere faith”.
Real Faith is Not What You Feel or See
We need genuine faith to live the life God is calling us to. Real faith is total trust in God and His Word. It is not something we see or feel, that would be a Thomas kind of faith. (John 20:25) It is not even just believing. Even the devils believe. (James 2:19) They believe Jesus is the son of God, but they do not have genuine faith.
Examine Yourself
Second Corinthians 13:5 says, “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves.” (NKJV). Why? Because faith is not always what it appears to be. There is faith that is NOT authentic or genuine. There is a natural kind of faith which is “trust” in things, objects, and situations. It is this kind of faith we use to get on a plane, sit in a chair, or even go out to eat. When we turn on a light switch, we have faith (natural) that the lights will come on. This is far different than a “God kind of faith”. (Mark 11:22)
The God Kind of Faith
The key to – “the God kind of faith” is believing with the heart and confessing with the mouth. The words that come out of our mouths can trap us or bless us. (Pv. 6:2) Our lips can make us victors or keep us captives. We can fill our words with faith or we can fill our words with doubt. We can fill our words with love that will melt the coldest heart, or we can fill our words with hate and poison. We can fill our words with love that will help the discouraged and broken-hearted, with faith that will stir heaven. We can make our words breathe the very atmosphere of heaven.
Our faith will never rise above the words of our lips. Thoughts may come and they may keep coming, but if we refuse to put those thoughts into words, they die unborn. Learn to use words that are salt and light. Faith-filled words that feed your spirit.
How to Know Your Faith is Real
The following are not the only keys to faith, but if you are doing these 4 things your faith will be strong and able to continue to grow.
Real Faith Takes Action.
Faith that does not produce corresponding actions is “dead”. (James 2:20) Again this is not an issue of being saved. Salvation is a gift from God by the grace of God, It is not by works. (Ephesians 2:8) However, as a believer our faith should be demonstrated by the actions we take – walk in love, forgive, etc.
Real Faith Speaks Faith, not Doubt.
One of the biggest indicators of where a person’s faith is – is the words coming out of their mouth. Genuine faith will speak life and grace. It will not speak doubt and fear. It calls things that be not as though they were. (Romans 4:17) It declares the Word of God. So, start speaking your faith.
Real Faith Does Not Waver
People will say they are believing God, but the moment opposition comes or circumstances look difficult they waver. If things don’t go the way they thought they would they begin to question God. Genuine faith is steady and does not waver because of circumstances. “Abraham did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.” (Romans 4:20-21) Genuine faith is fully persuaded God will do what He says He will do!
Real Faith is Based on the Word of God.
This is huge and is often where people miss it. They will base their faith on something other than the Word of God – it may be something someone said, something they prayed for, or some other source. Genuine faith comes from the Word of God. (Romans 4:17) The foundation of genuine faith is built on what the Word of God says not what we see or feel.
Real Faith Will Change Your Life
Real Faith has the power to change your life. If you need the power of God working in your life but haven’t seen it yet, faith is the answer. Mark 11:22 says, “Have faith in God. (or the God kind)” It is the kind of faith that moves mountains. It is the kind of faith that gets results. It is Real Faith! Next time we will talk about how to develop (strengthen) your faith.