Real Faith

January 15, 2024

In the United States, there are many people who say they are Christian.

And, yet, many of these people appear to live according to their own rules, not by trusting in God’s Word. What they say about their faith and how they choose to live don’t line up.

Real faith is more than just the words they say. Real faith produces fruit. Real faith shows up in the way we speak and act. There's evidence.

For instance, I could say I’m the best dancer in the whole world, but that wouldn’t make it true, and the moment I started dancing, you’d know it wasn’t true.

Just because you say you have faith doesn’t mean it’s true. This is what James is addressing in this verse: “What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?” James 2:14 (NLT)

What’s the use in saying you have faith, if it doesn’t show up in the way you live and the things you do?

James isn’t saying we are saved by our works.

The Bible is clear that we are saved by faith in Jesus, nothing more and nothing less. The Bible says, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT).

But, through our faith, God transforms us so that our attitudes and actions become evidence of our trust in him. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (NLT).

So, let me ask you… is there evidence for your faith? In what ways does your life match up with what you say you believe?

I encourage you to allow God to work in your life. I will be praying for you as we do this 40 Days of Prayer series, that your faith will grow and that there will be evidence of your faith in how you live your life!