Signs of True Faith

The Bible makes it very clear that “many” who, call Jesus “Lord,” and claim to perform great works in his name, will be cast into eternal punishment solely on the basis that Jesus did not “know” them 

Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 

Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 

Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 

By “know,” He means that He has no saving relationship with them. Despite their vehement protest, they are not Jesus’ sheep and he is not their shepherd 

Joh 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 

In other words, their professed faith in Jesus was not a true faith.

Their proclamation of Jesus as Lord, and their claim to have accomplished great works in his name, demonstrate that they members of (at least in a visible sense)  the church. The startling truth is that when Jesus delivers these final words of rejection, he pronounces them to those who believed they were Christians.

It is a sad reality that our churches are full of those who claim a faith in Jesus but who do not have a faith that saves. The New Testament abounds with illustrations that describe the difference between those who possess true faith and those who do not.

Yet scripture teaches that, for a time, true and false believers will live and operate alongside one another, apparently worshiping and working in fellowship. This is often called the “visible church.” It also teaches that at the end of the church age, true and false believers will be separated by God, their works exposed as either good or evil and rewarded or punished accordingly.

Mat 3:12  Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. 

Mat 13:24  Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 

Mat 13:25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 

Mat 13:26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 

Mat 13:27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 

Mat 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 

Mat 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 

Mat 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. 

Mat 13:47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 

Mat 13:48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 

Mat 13:49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 

Mat 13:50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 

Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 

Mat 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 

Mat 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 

Mat 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 

Mat 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 

Mat 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 

Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 

Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 

Mat 25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 

Mat 25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 

Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 

Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 

Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. 

Mat 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 

Mat 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 

Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 

Mat 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 

Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 

Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 

Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 

Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 

Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 

Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 

Mat 25:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 

Mat 25:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 

Mat 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 

Mat 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 

Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. 

Symbolically, in each of these illustrations, those found to have true faith in Jesus are brought into his kingdom, while the imposters are cast into eternal punishment. In light of these sobering examples from scripture, it is of utmost importance that we take the time to look honestly at our own faith.

Examine Yourself

Self-examination is a regular and biblical practice of the true Christian. 

Psa 139:23  Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 

Psa 139:24  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. 

1Co 11:27  Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink thiscup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 

1Co 11:28  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of thatbread, and drink of that cup. 

1Co 11:29  For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.  

2Co 13:5  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?  

Understanding that examining one’s own heart is a natural practice of the true follower of Jesus, what signs should we look for when putting our own faith under the spotlight of scripture? What are the distinguishing marks of those who possess a true faith vs. those who are self-deceived?

The Mark of a True Christian

Newness is the recurring theme in scripture that describes those who have truly entered into eternal life. 

New Life

Joh 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 

Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

Eze 36:26  A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 

Rom 6:4  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

 New love for God

Every human being is a “sinner”.

Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 

1Jn 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 

1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

1Jn 1:10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 

We all were born in this condition and need reconciliation with God.

Psa 51:5  Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. 

Col 1:21  And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled 

Through faith in Christ, however, God heals our damaged relationship and reconciles us to himself 

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 

2Co 5:18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 

The result of this miraculous rebirth is that we now love the God we used to ignore or hate!  God’s Holy Spirit supernaturally reorients our hearts to turn towards our Heavenly Father instead of away from him 

Psa 119:32  I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. 

This results in us putting God at the front of all our pursuits and submitting to his will in everything we do, say, and think. It also results in our seeking God’s glory, and in our daily desire to make him known to the people around us, constantly praying, when even minor decisions are made, thanking and praising God.

Ask yourself:

• Have I experienced a growing love for God since I came to faith in Jesus?
• Do I wake up each morning with an increased longing for God’s purpose in my life?
• Is there a budding desire to share my faith with others and make God known to those around me?

A New Hatred for Sin

The flip-side of having a new love for God is to share (be in spiritual agreement with) his purposes and values. We will, therefore, share his heart with regard to sin – beginning with our own.

Having been born with hearts that are naturally prone to sin, When we come to believe in Jesus, however, we are reborn with new hearts that desire obedience to God and that flee from sin.

This does not mean that we stop sinning.  To come to Christ means that our hearts and wills have been turned around to run away from sin rather than toward it.

Because we are no match for sin (which is why we need a savior), we will continue to stumble in sin. This should result in our continual repentance – bringing our transgressions daily to the cross of Christ in prayer

 1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  

While we remain on this earth, our persistent, unyielding desire should be for holiness and righteousness – both for ourselves and for our fellow believers.

Ask yourself:

• Do the sins I used to take pleasure in now fill me with conviction and guilt?
• Do my sins bring me to Christ in repentance?
• Do I experience a growing desire for my own righteousness?
• Do the sins I used to ignore or even approve of in my friends and family now bring a sorrow and concern for their soul?
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A New Love for God’s Word

The Bible is the means by which we are saved. 

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 

Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The Bible is the instrument that the Holy Spirit uses to save and sanctify us. 

Heb 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

Eph 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 

Col 2:13  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 

Being transformed by God’s word produces a transformed attitude toward God’s word. In our old life, we were dead to the things of God. Transformed by his word, we view the bible as the only true source of life and godliness, resulting in a greater frequency in our Bible reading because we now see the word of God as our “spiritual food,”. By God’s Spirit, we crave it and give it the priority we would give any daily meal

Job 23:12  Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips;

A believer will also have a growing understanding of the scriptures. Part of the Holy Spirit’s role in the Christian’s life is the illumination of scripture – that is, he reveals God’s word to us. Those passages in the Bible that used to seem so dull, or that seemed so hard to understand, are now made more alive and clearer because of the Spirit of God’s work in our minds 

Job 23:12  Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips;

Heb 10:16  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 

Ask yourself:

• Do I seek God’s word as my sole source for life and godliness?
• Do I have a growing desire to read the Bible with greater frequency?
• Do I allow the words of scripture to have such authority over my thoughts, words, and actions that I’ve noticed personal changes that are the result of the Bible’s teaching?
• Do I experience a greater understanding of the teachings of scripture?

A New Love for Fellow Believers

Christians’ love for each other is the high-water mark of those who have truly been transformed by the grace of God. Likewise, one’s lack of love for a fellow believer is sure sign that no transformation has taken place in that person’s heart.

A heart that has been changed by the love of Jesus will, in turn, love those for whom he died 

1Jn 5:1  Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.  (NIV) 

1Jn 4:7  Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 

1Jn 4:8  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 

1Jn 4:9  This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 

1Jn 4:10  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 

1Jn 4:11  Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 

1Jn 4:12  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 

1Jn 4:13  This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 

Ask yourself:

• Do I see a growing love for the people of God in my own heart?
• Do I seek their fellowship, as well as their spiritual growth and      maturity in the church?
• Do I look forward to being with them in our weekly meetings?

A New Attitude and Values

Mat 7:16  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 

Mat 7:17  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 

Mat 7:18  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 

Gal 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 

If we are not changed by grace, then we are not saved by grace.

When we are saved by Christ, we are changed by Christ in our outlook, motives, responses, disposition, etc. Those once defining personality traits that came out of our sinful nature are  replaced with new, Christ-reflecting qualities that are born out of the presence of God’s Spirit indwelling our hearts. Some of those changes will be immediately apparent but many will take longer.

Ask yourself:

• Am I growing in those attitudes that mark someone who has been born      of the Spirit of God?
• Do I see an increased measure of humility, meekness, patience,      etc., in myself?
• Do my friends and family see the evidence of this new heart in me?

A New Manifestation of Good Works

This last sign of true faith cannot be overlooked.  While good works are not the cause or the source of our faith, they are the automatic result.

Jas 2:17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 

Jas 2:18  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 

Jas 2:19  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 

Jas 2:20  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 

Jas 2:21  Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 

Jas 2:22  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 

Jas 2:23  And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 

Jas 2:24  Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 

Jas 2:25  Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 

Jas 2:26  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. 

What if I don’t show any of these signs?

It’s important to understand that we cannot manufacture these sign by our own effort. The six signs we’ve just explored are the result of God’s Spirit working within us. They will, therefore, be the automatic by-product of a transformed heart. When God’s Spirit is truly working within us, we cannot help but manifest these signs to some degree.

If, upon honest examination, you recognize that you don’t manifest any of the signs, then let this article be your wake-up call. You may not be genuinely saved. You may be self-deceived.

What if I only show some of these signs?

The signs of true faith listed above are the result of a miraculous and continual work of the Holy Spirit known as Sanctification. It does not mean that sin is instantly eradicated. It is also more than just a counteraction, in which sin is merely “held at bay” or repressed without being gradually destroyed.

Sanctification is not just the outward appearance of transformation; it is a real transformation. (2 

Understand that sanctification is gradual. It is only after the seed of the gospel takes root in our hearts and changes us into believers in Jesus, that we begin to grow.  

Luk 8:8  And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 

1Co 3:1  And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 

1Co 3:2  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 

Paul knew that the believers in Corinth had not reached full spiritual maturity the moment they came to believe in Christ. Many of them were still quite immature in their faith when they should have been further progressed.