Authentic Faith

Paul's words to the church at Rome: "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth to the Jew first and then also to the gentile" (Rom. 1:16).  From this verse, I want to bring your thoughts to the subject of "belief" or "faith."

The Scriptures present only two distinct kinds of belief or faith - real, authentic faith or pseudo, false faith. Pseudo faith is characterized by superficiality and frivolity which only produces a life of 'supposed' salvation and Christianity.  Pseudo faith never takes root in the blessed Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Pseudo faith will never produce the result of the fruit of eternal life namely, the fruits of righteousness (Phil. 1: 11).  False faith deceives and denies the very essence and nature of God's intended purpose of faith which is to bring legitimate conversion and conformity to Christ. Furthermore, there is a stark difference between merely professing Jesus Christ as Savior and actually possessing Him as Savior.  Let's be clear about it Biblically - Jesus is Savior and He is also Lord (Acts 2: 36). My Savior is the Lord Jesus Christ!  Many people belong to a church through various means such as baptism, membership, catechism classes, confirmations, or observances to a particular set of prescribed rules or rituals. 

On the other hand, based upon the authority of Scripture, the Body of Christ, the true Church, is exclusively made up of one unique and distinct kind of person.  This person possess authentic faith that truly brings forth a genuine salvation from the Lord Jesus Christ which then allows for that person to be called a Christian. True saving faith which is authentic faith gives no allowances for casual, frivolous, and superficial kinds of faith with little or no commitment to Jesus. The Scriptures make no exception for the nominal Christian life.  Authentic faith is faith that genuinely saves.  Authentic faith is faith that embraces the Person and Work of Jesus Christ fully and completely.  Authentic faith gives me the confident assurance that I truly and eternally belong to Jesus Christ my Lord and my Savior.

I hope you have authentic, saving, and life-changing faith.  I hope you can claim with great assurance Paul's words to the church at Philippi?  "Being confident of this very thing, that He who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (1: 6).

I rejoice in the words of this great hymn, "My faith has found a resting place not in device nor creed. I trust the Ever-living One His wounds for me shall plead.  I need no other argument I need no other plea. It is enough that Jesus died and that He did for me."

Michael. Gal. 2: 20