Famous Last Words

How To Know If Your Faith Is Real

Introduction

“An authentic faith will stand firm through the storms while a fake faith will crumble under the pressure.”

Three Types of Faith

1. “Faith” That Only Talks

[James 2:14-18] “What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, ‘Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well’—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?”

Key Point:

• Works don’t earn salvation but evidence relationship with God
• Empty words without action = dead faith

2. “Faith” That Only Thinks and Feels

[James 2:19-20] “You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?”

Key Points:

• Knowledge and emotion alone aren’t authentic faith
• Actions must align with knowledge and feelings

3. Faith That Has Action

[James 2:21-26] Examples:

• Abraham: Trusted God even with his son
• Rahab: Risked life to protect God’s people

“Faith isn’t just a moment of belief; it’s a lifetime of growing trust.”

Evidence of Real Faith

[Galatians 5:22-23] “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

Key Characteristics:

• Transforms from inside out
• Produces spiritual fruit naturally
• Costs something

“God isn’t looking for perfect people trying harder. He’s looking for transformed people living naturally from their new nature.”

Application

Self-examination questions:

1. What type of faith do you have?
   • All talk?
   • All knowledge and emotion?
   • Action that transforms?
2. When was the last time your faith cost you something?

“Faith without works is not faith at all, but a simple lack of obedience.” – Bonhoeffer

Next steps might include:

• Forgiving someone
• Trusting God with finances
• Serving in ministry
• Taking action on faith

Conclusion

Real faith:

• Goes beyond words
• Transforms knowledge into action
• Produces visible fruit
• Affects everyday life

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