"How Do I Know If I Have True
Faith?"
Hebrews 11:1-6
Don Fortner
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.
l.
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.
2. TRUE FAITH TRUSTS CHRIST
ALONE FOR ACCEPTANCE WITH GOD (Acts
3. TRUE FAITH SURRENDERS
TO, FOLLOWS AND OBEYS CHRIST AS LORD IN ALL THINGS AND OVER ALL THINGS (Luke
4. 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.