The Two Signs Of Genuine Faith Series

Introduction

Good morning. Here in Metro Manila, every jeepney has a sign on its dashboard. That sign is the outward evidence of its inward purpose and its final destination. By that sign, you know where it's going. In the same way, how can we know if someone is a genuine Christian? How can we know if our own faith is the real thing? Are there visible, outward signs that reveal the reality of an inward transformation?

For the past several weeks, we have been soaring at the highest altitudes of theology. We have explored the glorious, invisible realities of our salvation: chosen before time began, adopted as children, redeemed by the blood of Christ, and sealed by the Holy Spirit. It has been breathtaking. But now, in verse 15, the Apostle Paul makes a crucial turn. He brings all that magnificent theology down to street level. The word "Wherefore" acts as a bridge. Paul is saying, "Because all of that is true... because of this incredible salvation God has accomplished... here is the visible result I see in your lives." He shows us the two unmistakable signs he heard about from his prison cell that proved the Ephesians' faith was authentic.

1. The Foundation: Faith in the Lord Jesus (The Vertical Mark)

The very first thing Paul celebrates is the foundation of their new life. He heard of "...your faith in the Lord Jesus..." This is the starting point, the root system from which everything else grows. This is the vertical dimension of our relationship with God.

A. The Nature of Our Faith

What is this faith? It is not a vague belief in a higher power or simply agreeing that Jesus was a good person. The Bible's definition of faith is so much more radical. To have faith is to completely entrust your entire being—your past with all its sin, your present with all its struggles, and your eternal future—into the hands of Jesus Christ. It is a radical reliance on Him and Him alone for your standing before God. It's moving from simply believing about Jesus to actively believing in Jesus.

B. The Object of Our Faith

And Paul is incredibly specific about the object of this faith. It is faith "in the Lord Jesus." Both of these titles are essential. To trust in "Jesus" is to trust in Him as your Savior, the one whose name means "God saves," the one who shed His blood to pay for your sins. But to trust in Him as "Lord" is to submit to Him as your Master, your King, the rightful ruler of every area of your life. Genuine faith embraces Jesus for who He fully is. You cannot truly have Him as your Savior if you are unwilling to follow Him as your Lord. This vertical trust was the first sign of life in the Ephesian church.

2. The Evidence: Love for All the Saints (The Horizontal Mark)

Faith in Jesus is the essential root, but a healthy root will always produce visible fruit. Paul immediately follows faith with the second sign he heard about: "...and love unto all the saints." If faith is the vertical mark, love is the horizontal mark. It is the undeniable, practical evidence of a heart that has been truly changed by God.

A. The Quality of Our Love

The love Paul heard about was agape love. This isn't the kind of love our world usually talks about. It's not a romantic feeling or a simple affection for people we find agreeable. Agape is a supernatural, self-giving, sacrificial love that actively seeks the highest good of others, without expecting anything in return. It's the kind of love God has for us. It's the love Jesus modeled when He went to the cross. The apostle John would later write, "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren." This love is the non-negotiable proof that we belong to God.

B. The Scope of Our Love

And notice the scope of this love. Paul rejoiced that their love was "unto all the saints." "Saints" simply means "holy ones," and it's the Bible's normal term for every Christian. Their love wasn't cliquish. It wasn't reserved for people of the same social status, the same background, or the same personality type. Their love extended to all their brothers and sisters in Christ. This is the true test of genuine Christian love. It's easy to love the lovable. But a Spirit-produced love breaks down the walls that divide us and sees every fellow believer as a precious member of God's family.

Conclusion

The good news that traveled all the way from Ephesus to Paul's prison in Rome wasn't about the size of their church building, the numbers in their attendance, or the fame of their preachers. The report that made Paul's heart overflow with thankfulness was simple: they have faith in Jesus, and they love each other.