We have looked at several levels of faith already. Now we come to genuine faith. This is something to desire. This is the level of faith we want.
What is genuine faith? Genuine faith is sincere and real. It is solid, unchanging, and remains for a lifetime. It is not fake, nor is it temporary.
2 Timothy 1:5 “I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.” (NLT)
I like how this verse points out faith carries on from generation to generation. It started with Timothy’s grandmother, Lois, and then passed on to his mother, Eunice.
We now find this same genuine faith in Timothy. I am sure Timothy passed it on to his children and his grandchildren.
This is important for parents and grandparents to understand. It is our job to pass faith on to the next generations. It starts at home and the church can only reinforce that faith.
Test Yourself for Genuine Faith
2 Corinthians 13:5 tells us, “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves.” (CSB)
We are told to test and examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith.
Are we still living by faith? Do we walk by faith or by sight? Are we controlled by God’s Word in our heart or do our feelings and emotions control us? Does faith in God come out of our lips or are we speaking words of worry and fear?
These are all things we must examine to determine if our faith is genuine. Don’t worry if you don’t pass some or even all these questions. We have time to change using the power of the Holy Spirit, along with the Word of God.
Don’t Move from Genuine Faith
What can happen to move us away from genuine faith? We find the answer in Paul’s letter to the Galatians. We often are no different from them.
Galatians 3:3 says, “Are you so foolish? After beginning by the Spirit, are you now finishing by the flesh?” (CSB)
We get born again and everything is all about the Holy Spirit. We start in faith, but then we start adding in works along with our faith. We get this idea that we must do certain things to gain God’s favor.
This is all man-made ideas. It isn’t from God. We are saved by grace through faith. Ephesians 2:8) Let us continue in grace, pleasing God with our obedience to His Word.
I urge you to examine your faith. Do you have genuine faith? Is it sincere and real or has works crept in so slowly we didn’t even notice? No matter what you find when you examine yourself, God’s power, along with His Word, can move you to even greater levels of faith.
Here are more articles about faith:
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank you for the faith you have given me. I desire to have a genuine faith that is real and unfeigned. Holy Spirit, I give you permission to show me where I fall short in any area of my faith. Teach and guide me to having genuine faith in all areas of my life. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Additional Scriptures
Jeremiah 3:10; John 1:47; 1 Timothy 1:5; 1 Timothy 4:6; 1 Peter 1:22; Psalm 22:10
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