Faith is described as a complete trust or confidence in someone or something. It is most often used to describe the strong belief that someone has in God. While those are still the common definitions of faith, it seems that the meaning many people associate with faith has softened. Causing there to be a defining difference between faith and true faith.
Someone with just some faith in God doesn’t believe everything, at least not without some convincing. Taking a little scripture here, skipping the not fun bits there. While someone with true faith in God believes and is willing to obey God’s commands. Whatever they may be. Believing because of their faith that all scripture is inspired by God.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
The Bible is full of examples that show the difference between true faith and plain faith. A great example to learn what it means to have true faith comes from Acts chapter 2. In which Peter preaches the first sermon after Jesus’s ascension into heaven. His message inspired true faith in those who heard it.
Acts 2:37 (ESV)
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Notice that unlike many today they did not stop after hearing the word and believing it to be true. They wanted to know exactly what they needed to do next. In order to receive salvation. So Peter told them.
Acts 2:38-40 (ESV)
38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”
Peter laid out the plan of salvation for them. Nothing that he told them to do was hard. But today you nearly have to beg people to do those things. It wasn’t that way for those people though. In the next verse, we see that all who believed were baptized.
Acts 2:41 (ESV)
41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
We do not read that they questioned Peter’s message. Or that they had to take some time to think about it. No, they had true faith in God and were willing to do whatever nessacary to prove it.
This is the same thing we see today in our churches. Some show up with a little faith and are willing to do some things but they question the need for other things. Then someone comes in with true faith and is so hungry for God that they want to do everything laid out in God’s word.
We can see what just some faith looks like by looking at the rich young man. He came to Jesus wanting to know what he must do to receive eternal life. To which Jesus told him that he needed to follow the commandments.
Matthew 19:16-19 (ESV)
16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Once Jesus lays out what he must do the young man says he as done all those. Effectively saying see I have faith I believe. Still, though he asks what more he should do and Jesus does not hold back.
Matthew 19:20-21 (ESV)
20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
Up until this point, it seems that this man has true faith. He has followed the commandments from a young age. Plus he is still trying to see what more he should be doing. However, after Jesus’s statement, we see where his true faith lays.
Matthew 19:22 (ESV)
22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
His faith and trust in God dropped when it came to his material things. While he has faith in God his true faith is in his monetary possessions. So he simply was not willing to obey when it comes to that. This example of lackluster faith should cause us to question ourselves. Is there something that we trust in more than God? Or do we have true faith in our creator?
I hope you will take some time to think about the kind of faith that you have. Do you have faith up to a point? Or do you have true faith that is willing to obey God no matter what? God desires true faith, not the wavering faith that James describes.
James 1:6-7 (ESV)
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
If you are struggling with faith then take some time and read some of the great acts of faith performed by people in the Bible. See the faith of David who was willing to take on a giant with just a sling and a stone. Of Abraham who had the faith to trust God for a son even though he was considered to be too old. Even the faith is shown by the Apostles in the book of Acts who took on great persecution. But did not give up because they had faith in God that no matter what they would receive eternal life.
Those heroes of the Bible did not just have faith they had true faith! If you want to be called Christian you should share this same true faith. Hopefully, this article has opened your eyes to what true faith looks like. And cause you to question what kind of faith you have. If you found this helpful please share it with others. Thanks and God Bless!
Visit Justin’s personal website Here. Or see articles from other writers we feature Here. Also, be sure to stop by our prayer wall.