Saving-Faith (Part 4): Dead Faith of the Self-Deceived
Since the heart is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9) and people are prone to self-deception (Isaiah 53:6; Matthew 15:8; 2 Timothy 3:13), God allows trials and suffering in the lives of Christians to prove the genuineness of their faith (Deuteronomy 8:2-5, 13:1-4; 2 Chronicles 32:31; James 1:22; 1 John 2:11).
A heart transformed by the Gospel will inevitably express itself in deeds (Luke 7:47; Acts 16:14-15). Therefore, a fruitless Christian with Saving-Faith doesn’t exist (Matthew 13:8; Hebrews 12:14). Even the Thief with the little time that he had, he demonstrated his faith by rebuking the other thief (Luke 23:40). If his life was spared, no doubt he would want to be identified with God’s people via baptism (for example). Perseverance of the Saints doesn’t teach that we’re saved by our endurance or good works, but that Saving-Faith works and endures because the love of Christ compels us (2 Corinthians 5:14).
If there’s no distinction between Saving-Faith and non-Saving-Faith, there would be no need for self-examination (2 Peter 1:1,10) or warning passages (Hebrews 12:14). Since there is a mixed multitudes in the Body of Christ (cf. Parable of the Four Soils), how do we know we’re not among the self-deceived? Saul of Tarsus, a very religious and pious man, was not aware that he was self-deceived. He thought he was doing God’s work by persecuting Christ and His Church (cf. John 16:2). How about Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:9-24)? He didn’t know he was self-deceived either. In fact, the self-deceived aren’t aware that they’re deceived: “those who handle the law did not know Me” (Jeremiah 2:8)!
This warning is applicable,
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, DECEIVING YOURSELVES…” (James 1:22).
It’s in the doing that we know the truth (John 7:16-17) and be free from self-deception (John 8:30-33). Which is why we’re admonished to, “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16). Otherwise we’ll end up deceiving ourselves and others as pointed out here, “But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” (2 Timothy 3:13). The many self-deceived Christians of today say that you can have Christ as Lord and not do what He says (Luke 6:46), or that we can love Him and not keep His commandments (John 14:15). Scripture knows of no such thing,
“this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ AND love one another, as He gave us commandment.” (1 John 3:23).
believe = doctrine || love one another = work of faith
The two goes together. Separate them and you have a dead faith (James 2:17). Our deeds reveal our belief (doctrine) and our belief affects how we conduct ourselves in this life. We are to watch out for both our lives and doctrines, not just in ourselves but others as well (1 Timothy 4:16).
Repost (February 21st, 2023)