WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE A GENUINE FAITH IN OUR LORD JESUS

Genuine faith in our Lord Jesus saves us because it shows total surrender to Him. It requires us to follow Him. As a result, when we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we must leave our old lifestyle and pursue doing what is right before our God. For example, we must stop cussing or saying bad words because it doesn't represent our new life in our Lord Jesus. James 1:6 says, "If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless." What we say to others affects our relationship with God. So, if we are still struggling to say bad words, we need to repent and ask God to give us the strength to overcome them. It is a bit funny when you hear Christians use almost the same sound of a curse instead of saying the real curse words. For example, the word "shoot" or "holy cow." As believers, we need to start being aware of how we talk to others so that our Lord Jesus Christ is honored in everything that we say. 

Our genuine faith in our Lord Jesus Christ should produce godly characters in us because the moment we genuinely believe in Him, we become a new person. Our old sinful behaviors and habits must start to dwindle in us. Living in godly behaviors is not an option for us, but it is a new way of life. Suppose we are still living in bad behaviors and doing the same sinful habits. In that case, we must examine our hearts to see if we are serious about believing in our Lord Jesus. If we are not changing as believers, then our faith in our Lord Jesus is not genuine. And if our faith in our Lord Jesus is not genuine, then we are not saved because we are still not willing to repent of our sins. But if we struggle with sin and want to change, then that is a different situation. As long as we want to change and repent, God sees our hearts, and He will help us to overcome our sins. 

Having genuine faith in our Lord Jesus does not mean that we stop sinning. However, it means that we are willing to change, take steps to live godly behaviors, and begin to stop bad habits. We still struggle with sin, but we are progressing to live godly, and the people around us can see the change in our speech and attitude. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Can people around me see the difference in me? What is the proof that I genuinely believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior? Is there anything in my life that I am not willing to change or give up? 

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, having genuine faith in you means that I have a new life—a life that is growing in godliness. Please continue to change my heart and renew my mind so that those around me can see the difference in me. Please help me to control my tongue and treat others with kindness so that I may honor you in everything that I do. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.