Genuine Saving Faith

Faith
What is faith? The dictionary says that faith is a belief in something, but is that really all our faith is? In James, it is written that even the demons believe in God, they simply reject him out of hate and their own free will.

"You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe and shudder." (James 2:19).

Is simple belief enough if even demons, God's sworn enemies, possess it? The Bible says no, simple belief is nothing without acceptance of Christ and repentance of sins. Belief does not become faith until one recognizes that God is sovereign, that he is the only way to heaven, and that he is completely in control of all life.

"By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible." (Hebrews 11:3)

A Breakdown of Faith
In short, faith is the solid and uncompromising understanding that humans are sinful and that they need a Savior, Jesus Christ. To pursue faith one must accept Jesus and repent, but how can a person be sure that they have faith? Is doing good things and going to church enough to save, enough to slip someone into heaven? The answer is no. Humans cannot save themselves, for if we could there would be no need for a Savior. If humans could save themselves, then Jesus died in vain.

"Because by the works of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes only the knowledge of sin." (Romans 3:20)

"For we maintain that man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law." (Romans 3:28).

"Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned." (Romans 5:12).

Works come from faith, not the other way around, and though they're a good indicator of strong faith, works are not a replacement for belief and acceptance of Jesus Christ.

Quick Lists
If one has strong faith, then certain attributes will follow, but not all good attributes indicate faith.

This is a list of qualities that neither prove nor disprove faith. Attributes that, contrary to popular opinion, are not substitutes for faith.

A. Visible Morality - Matthew 19:16-21, 23-27

B. Intellectual Knowledge - Romans 1:12, 2:17

C. Religious Involvement - Matthew 25:1-10

D. Active Ministry - Matthew 7:21-24

E. Conviction of Sin - Acts 24:25

F. Assurance - Matthew 23

G. Time of Decision - Luke 8:13-14

This second list, however, is a list of all the attributes that do indicate authentic faith.

A. Love for God - Psalms 42:1, 73:25; Luke 10:27; Romans 8:7

B. Repentance from sin - Psalms 32:5; Proverbs 28:13; Romans 7:14; 2 Corinthians 7:10; 1 John 1:8-10

C. Genuine Humility - Psalms 51:17; Matthew 5:1-12; James 4:6,9

D. Devotion to God's Glory - Psalms 105:3, 115:1; Isaiah 43:7, 48:10; Jeremiah 9:23-24; 1 Corinthians 10:31

E. Continual Prayer - Luke 18:1; Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; James 5:16-18

F. Selfless Love - 1 John 2:9, 3:14, 4:7

G. Separation from the World - 1 Corinthians 2:12; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17, 5:5

H. Spiritual Growth - Luke 8:15; John 15:1-6; Ephesians 4:12-16

I. Obedient Living - Matthew 7:21; John 15:14; Romans 16:26; 1 Peter 1:2,22; 1 John 2:3-5

J. Hunger for God's Word - 1 Peter 2:1-3

K. Transformation of Life - 2 Corinthians 5:17


If you are reading through these lists and find that list one is true but list two is false in any place, then there is cause to question the validity of your faith. Also, one should find that if list two is true, list one is true as well.

How we Act
If one claims to have solid faith, then there is a certain way that they should act in regard to the standards that Jesus has set for all believers. If one truly believes the gospel and its truth, then they should strive to live in a way that continually brings God honor and praise. Listed below is the conduct of the gospel, the way that one should act if they honestly wish to honor God.

A. Proclaim it - "Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people" (Matthew 4:23).

B. Defend it - "Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints." (Jude 3).

C. Demonstrate it - "Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear that you are standing firm in one spirit with, one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel." (Philippians 1:27).

D. Share it - "...always offering prayer with joy in my prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now." (Philippians 1:4-5).

E. Suffer for it - "Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God." (2 Timothy 1:8)

F. Don't hinder it - "If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ." (1 Corinthians 9:12).

G. Be not ashamed - "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation to anyone who believes..." (Romans 1:16).

H. Preach it - "For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel." (1 Corinthians 9:16).

I. Be empowered - "...for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proven to be among you for your sake." (1 Thessalonians 1:5)

J. Guard it - "I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!" (Galatians 1:6-8).

Be strong in God and carry on.
Love always,
Hannah