DECEPTIVE FAITH OR GENUINE FAITH?

James 2: 14-26
Deceptive Faith is a belief that all that is needed to be saved is to be forgiven, accepted by God and to believe the basic central truths of the Christian faith that Jesus came and died for our sins and rose again. Deceptive faith will say: “Well, I believe in God!” and the implication is, that’s really all that’s necessary. “I don’t need to do anything; my life is pretty well lived as I see fit … I have my vices …. BUT, I believe in God”. James says – so do the demons! These Christians can behave in ways that are offensive to God and unloving towards other people. They attend church, can be involved in the workings of the church yet can be resentful, dishonest, unforgiving, foul mouthed or immoral and it doesn’t bother them.
Matthew 7:21 says: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven”.
Genuine Saving Faith is an informed faith found in the evidence of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Genuine, saving faith necessarily includes both trusting Christ as Saviour and following Christ as Lord. James wants to be sure Christians understand that the faith that saves is an active, obedient faith! Lasting faith is not something we exercise once in our life it is something we continue to exercise for the rest of our lives. Genuine faith perseveres and lasts the distance. Living faith is active and growing in the Spirit of God. If it is not growing it is dead faith and will be unresponsive to the word of God.

What is your faith like today?
Is it learned, lasting and living or is it on the point of death?