Genuine Faith

“The proof is in the pudding.” What does this old British proverb mean? The original version stated, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.” It meant that you had to try out food to really know whether or not it tasted good. Centuries ago, pudding was not a sweet dessert but a type of sausage filled with minced meat and other animal tidbits that could be treacherous to the tongue.

When it comes to the experience of salvation, faith is a central factor. “By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). But how do you know if you have genuine faith? Paul encourages us: “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5). What convincing proof reveals true faith? After all, Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

A clue comes at the end of one verse that clarifies who will enter heaven: “He who does the will of My Father in heaven.” How can that be when we know “that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16)? Our standing before God does not depend on our good or bad deeds. “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness” (Romans 4:3).

When we look carefully at the type of faith Abraham had, we discover that “by faith Abraham obeyed” (Hebrews 11:8). His genuine faith was not passive or merely intellectual, but was revealed in a life of obedience to God. James explained the evidence of true faith: “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17).

Paul dealt with the fallacy of obtaining justification through our works. James dealt with the fallacy of claiming justification without corresponding works. Neither works nor a dead faith lead to salvation. The proof of true faith is in the pudding.

Apply It:

What types of evidence do you expect to see in a person who truly loves another person?

Dig Deeper:

Romans 4:9, 10; Hebrews 11:8–12; James 2:14–26

Key Bible Texts

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. (Galatians 5:6 KJV)