Is Your Faith Real?

by Bro. Charlie Heath
09/13/2023

2 Timothy 1:5 - “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.”

I have heard it said that faith is defined in Hebrews 11:1 as, “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,” and it is displayed in Hebrews 12:2 as, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;”. The truth of the matter is that faith is only as strong as the object (or person) in which it lies. In our text, Paul brings to Timothy’s remembrance his “unfeigned faith.” According to verse 6 of II Timothy 1, Paul did this so that the young preacher would “stir up the gift of God.” We can take from this that our faith in the Lord is the engine that drives our service for the Lord. If our faith is weak then our service for Christ will lack. When our faith is strong, and we see what the Lord has done for us, then our service for Christ will abound.

Paul describes Timothy’s faith as being “unfeigned.” This word means, “without hypocrisy.” Timothy’s faith was pure and genuine. It did not waver depending on circumstances or surroundings. This was not a faith that Timothy could produce. No amount of strength within him could muster up this kind of faith. His faith rested solely in the Lord Jesus and therefore, it could be described as “unfeigned.”

Many times, we find ourselves in the same situation as Peter. We step out of the boat with our eyes on Christ. However, when the waves rise around us, we take our eyes off Christ. At that moment our faith is resting in us. We are looking to ourselves to fix the situation. Only when we fixate our eyes on Christ will our faith stand. This is not an easy thing to do, but it is necessary. Circumstances change; trials come and go, but our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Because of this wonderful truth, we would be foolish to look elsewhere than to Christ and Him alone.

Have you ever placed your faith in Jesus Christ? If so, then the question must be, could your faith be described as “unfeigned?” In whatever you are facing, look to the Lord and trust in the glorious promises of His Word.

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