What are some signs of authentic, saving faith?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The New Testament consistently teaches that authentic saving faith is both inward trust and outward evidence. Paul and James alike point to Abraham as the model, showing that true faith rests on God’s promises and expresses itself in obedience (Romans 4:3; James 2:21–23). Saving faith begins by trusting in Christ alone for salvation (Romans 10:9; John 3:16), but it does not remain hidden. Genuine faith inevitably bears fruit, not as sinless perfection but as a life shaped by repentance (1 John 1:9), growing holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:3), and the Spirit’s transforming presence (Galatians 5:22–23).

Throughout the New Testament, several signs of this type of faith are given. Believers grow in love for God and for His people (John 13:34–35; 1 John 4:7–12), obey out of gratitude (John 14:15; 1 Thessalonians 1:3), persevere through trials (Hebrews 3:14; Colossians 1:23), and manifest the Spirit’s fruit.

Authentic faith, then, is an ongoing reliance on Christ that produces visible transformation. Scripture assures us that, for the one who has authentic faith, God will bring that faith to maturity in His time (Philippians 1:6).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• While the New Testament is the primary place for understanding authentic faith in Jesus, the Old Testament lays the groundwork for recognizing that type of faith. There we learn that true trust in God expresses itself in heart-felt obedience. That is, when one truly believes God, there is external evidence for that belief. A key example of this is found in Abraham who would later be called the father of faith in the New Testament because he believed God’s promises, and that belief proved itself genuine when he acted on them by being willing to sacrifice his son because God simply told him to do so (Genesis 15:6; 22:1–18).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The New Testament repeatedly points back to Abraham as the prime example of authentic, saving faith. Paul highlighted Abraham’s belief in God’s promises, noting that that belief “was counted to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:6). For Paul, Abraham shows that salvation has always been by faith alone, apart from works of the law. James, for his part, emphasized that Abraham’s faith was proven genuine when he obeyed God in offering Isaac (James 2:21–23). That is, Abraham’s faith wasn’t considered genuine simply because he said he believed God but because he did what God asked him to do. Taken together, these two authors showed that authentic faith rests on God’s promises, demonstrating itself to be authentic through obedience.
• Abraham’s faith was limited to the little he knew about God’s promises. Conversely, the New Testament reveals the entirety of what true faith requires, starting by teaching that true faith is centered on Christ. That is, saving faith begins by confessing Jesus as Lord and trusting His resurrection (Romans 10:9). This faith acknowledges weakness and sin while clinging to Christ’s advocacy before the Father (1 John 2:1–2). So, to start, authentic faith rests in Him, not in the perfection of one’s own obedience.
• That said, James noted that “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17). What he was showing was that it’s not enough to claim to be saved. Instead, if that claim is true, then it will be proved as such by the outworking of good works.
• Those “works,” also known as obedience, are not what saves someone. Rather, when one is truly saved, he or she willingly obeys out of gratitude. This is what Jesus meant when He said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Note that this does not mean one is perfectly obedient, but that he or she has a Spirit-empowered desire to live in a way that honors Him.
• For example, notice how Paul commends the Thessalonians: “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3). The evidence that Paul observed to know the Thessalonians had authentic faith was their works.
• As can also be seen in that verse, true faith is more than just works—it includes love. Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Love is the hallmark of one who has true faith. Indeed, John makes this a key argument in his letter, saying, “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8) and “if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us” (1 John 4:12b). John was not saying that our love will be perfect, but that, if we claim to belong to God then we will be like Him. Since He loved us, we will also love others.
• In addition to works and love, perseverance is a sign of authentic faith. The writer of Hebrews insists that “we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end” (Hebrews 3:14). While someone could stumble under intense persecution, the author was saying that those with true faith don’t easily abandon it when things get hard, nor are they tempted away from it by sin (Hebrews 3:13). Paul gave a similar warning, saying that believers are those who “continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard” (Colossians 1:23b).
• Finally, the New Testament points to the fruit of the Spirit as visible evidence of genuine faith. Paul lists qualities such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23). These characteristics should grow over time with all true believers, though the speed of growth and amount of fruit will vary from person to person.
• In short, the New Testament shows that Abraham’s faith is the paradigm for all believers. Just as he trusted God’s word and acted on it, so authentic faith today is marked by reliance on Christ, confession of sin, love for others, obedience, perseverance, and the Spirit’s fruit. This faith is not about perfection but about a life increasingly transformed by the grace and power of God.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Many believers wrestle with the question, “Am I truly saved?” The Bible provides comfort: authentic faith is not about being perfect. Instead, it’s about growing in sensitivity to sin and having a heart-felt willingness to obey God. Do you confess sin and run to Christ for forgiveness? Do you love Him and His people, however imperfectly? Do you continue to trust Him even when you stumble? These are the signs of real faith.

This frees you from constant fear of failing a spiritual “test.” You were saved because of what Jesus did and you remain saved because of the Spirit’s work in your life. Therefore, your assurance is not in your performance but in God’s promise. The Spirit bears fruit in your life over time, even if slowly. When doubts come, look back to who you were before you were saved and who you are now. Do you see a difference? If so, you are likely seeing evidence of authentic faith in your life!

At the same time, if you see no evidence of repentance, no love for Christ, and no perseverance in the gospel, then Scripture warns that you may not have real faith. Whether you are not saved, or sinning and have lost assurance, the thing you are to do right now is to repent of your sin and trust Jesus fully. Also, ask God to help remove any lingering sin or unbelief that may be hampering your relationship with Him.

In the end, true saving faith produces real, visible change that is anchored in Christ. When you trust in Him, you can have confidence in His promise: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

UNDERSTAND

• Authentic, saving faith begins with trusting in Christ and His promises.
• Genuine faith produces visible fruit, including repentance, obedience, love for God and others, and perseverance in the gospel.
• True faith is ongoing and Spirit-driven, showing growth and transformation over time, not perfection.

REFLECT

• How can you look for signs of saving faith while remembering that your faith is secure in Christ?
• Where do you see spiritual growth in your life, as evidence of your faith?
• How do you respond to struggles or sin, knowing we will still struggle with sin even after we are saved?

ENGAGE

• How does the growth of the Spirit’s fruit over time confirm the presence of genuine faith?
• How can we recognize authentic faith in ourselves and in each other without focusing on perfection or judging each other unrighteously?
• How can we help others remain steadfast in their faith during seasons of difficulty or doubts?