Last week I received a letter from a young lady
who seems to be genuinely seeking the Lord. She is
going though the struggles and conflicts of soul that
all experience in the process of conversion. She asked
a question that commonly vexes the people of God. It
does not vex the carnally secure religious hypocrite
who has made his decision for Jesus and never doubts
it. But it does vex one who, by the Spirit of God,
sincerely seeks the Lord. And it is most vexing to the
precious babes in grace. The question is this: "How do
I know if I have true faith?"
None but God the Holy Spirit can answer that
question to the satisfaction of your soul and
conscience. And he answers it by means of the gospel,
effectually applying the blood of Christ to your heart
and enabling you to rest in the Savior's finished work.
Yet, there are several evidences and characteristics of
true faith, by which we may know whether our faith is
true or false.
- TRUE FAITH ACKNOWLEDGES AND CONFESSES PERSONAL
DEPRAVITY, SIN AND GUILT (Ps. 51:3-5; I John 1:9). No
one has true faith in Christ who does not, from his
heart, take sides with God against himself and justify
God in his own condemnation.
- TRUE FAITH TRUSTS CHRIST ALONE FOR ACCEPTANCE WITH
GOD (Acts 8:26-37). Faith looks to Christ alone for
peace, pardon, justification, sanctification,
preservation and ultimate glorification.
- TRUE FAITH SURRENDERS TO, FOLLOWS AND OBEYS CHRIST
AS LORD IN ALL THINGS AND OVER ALL THINGS (Luke
14:25-33). The believer's submission to Christ in this
life is not perfect; but it is sincere and entire.
God's children are not rebels to Christ. They do not
rebel against his doctrine, his will or his word. They
submit to him, willingly.
- TRUE FAITH LOVES CHRIST, HIS PEOPLE AND HIS WORD (I
John 5:1-3). Faith always works by love. Where love is
absent, faith is absent. Where genuine love is found,
faith is found.