Having Real Faith Series

"If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you.” John 14:15 (MSG)

I heard a great statement this week - it goes like this:

God will not save anyman - He can not COMMAND.

Real faith is more than just something you believe.

5. Real Faith Is Something You DO

Faith is not passive – it’s active. Faith is not just a comment – it’s a commitment. James gives a powerful example of faith in action. He tells about the faith of Abraham – follow along with me as I read:

“Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.” James 2:21-23 (ESV)

You know the story. Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son Isaac on an altar to God. Twenty-five years earlier God had already declared Abraham to be righteous. Abraham was already a believer when he was asked to offer up his son Isaac as a sacrifice. This part of the story has nothing to do with salvation. This part of Abraham’s story has to do with putting faith into action. This part of the story has to do with Abraham being obedient. Abraham was faithful – he obeyed God. He followed the instructions that God gave him without question. He took up his son. He cut the wood. He built the altar. He took up the knife and was about to kill his son when God intervened. His actions of faith – proved his faith. He believed God – he trusted God – he obeyed God and he follows God’s instruction to the letter. His works proved that he had faith in God.

The Bible says:

“Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness — and he was called a friend of God.”

Our faith is not determined by what we do – it is demonstrated by what we do.

Second Corinthians chapter thirteen and verse five in the Message Bible says:

“Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it.” 2 Corinthians 13:5 (MSG)

Ask yourself – “Am I really a Christian after all? In the light of what James says – am I really a Christian? Do I have the kind of faith that James talks about?” Ask yourself – “Is my life any different from unbelievers? Is my life showing evidence that Christ is in my life?” If not – you need to do something about it. You need to settle the issue right here and right now. You need to ask God to come into your life – and to take control of your life. You need to put your faith in Him. God wants you to follow Him – He wants you to commit to Him. Give your life to Him. Put your faith in Him today.

(Special thanks to Richard Warren for his sermon “How To Have Real Faith” which inspired this sermon.)