Faith: Four Types of Faith, Which Do You Have?
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test Yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! (2 Corinthians 13:5)
A person is saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8). A Christian is sanctified by faith (Acts 26:18) and serves others by this same faith (1 Peter 4:8–11). A Christ-follower lives and walks by faith every day (Hebrews 3:10). Does this describe your faith? Are there counterfeit forms of faith out there? Let’s take a look and examine ourselves along the way.
Dead Faith
James informs us that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). In other words, if your faith is real, you will produce fruit. That is, good works are evidence that your faith is genuine. I’ve observed that you don’t have to motivate sincere Christians to do what the Holy Spirit is already urging them to do. If your faith is dead, it will be obvious by a lack of good fruit and an abundance of selfish thoughts, cruel words, and immoral deeds.
Demonic Faith
James also teaches that even demons believe and shudder at the name of Jesus (James 2:19). Their “faith” is intellectual. That is, the demons have no doubt that Jesus is the Son of the living God, but they rebelliously choose to serve a different master. And their master, Satan, is crystal clear on the fact that Jesus died and rose from the dead. As a matter of fact, Satan’s theology is probably better than yours or mine. But knowing all the answers and possessing the right theology doesn’t save you.
Vain Faith
Not everyone who says that Jesus is Lord of their lives will enter the kingdom of heaven on the day of His return. Only those who actually do the will of God will be permitted entry. Responding to an altar call, saying the sinner’s prayer, or religiously and generously tithing—these alone will not save you. Please don’t be the person who completes all kinds of religious milestones and cries out on the final day “Lord! Lord!” only to hear the dreadful words “I never knew you; depart from me” (Matthew 7:21–23).
Saving Faith
The message of John 3:16 is so clear: God loves every one of us, He sent His only begotten Son to live among us, and whoever believes on Jesus will have eternal life. Ephesians 2:8–10 provides us with some additional details: You are saved by grace through faith. Salvation is a gift. You are not saved because of any good works you ever did. But you were made to do good works and point people to Christ. God prepared many good things for you to do. As you live by saving faith, you will supernaturally produce good fruit, works, and evidence that you are no longer a slave to sin.
Heavenly Father, as I look to you, I recognize my sinful condition. I thank you for saving me by faith in Jesus Christ. Examine me, Lord, and let my faith prove to be genuine. My desire is to love you with all my heart, obey you in all things, persevere with confidence, and do the good works that you prepared in advance for me to do. I am saved, and I am yours. Do your good and pleasing will in and through my life.
Walking by faith and enjoying the homeschooling adventure of a lifetime!
Davis Carman
Davis is the president of Apologia Educational Ministries, the #1 publisher of Creation-based science, math, Bible and worldview curriculum. He is also the author of four illustrated children’s books designed to help kids learn a biblical worldview. He believes that if there was ever a time to homeschool, it is now! Davis’s four books include: Good Morning, God, based on Deuteronomy 6, A Light for My Path, an ABC book based on Psalm 119, In the Beginning, based on the Creation account in Genesis, and Psalms to Know Early.