The Dangers of Having a “Dead Faith” Without Knowing It

Y ou probably know people who profess Christ but don’t act like Christ, so here is the eternal danger of having a faith that is dead, and not even knowing it.

Fruit Inspection

Every Christian should be bearing fruit of the Spirit…

You probably know people who profess Christ but don’t act like Christ, so here is the eternal danger of having a faith that is dead, and not even knowing it. James writes that if there are no works, then that faith is not going to save them because it’s not genuine faith. James asks, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him” (James 2:14)? Clearly the answer is no! Saving faith always produces fruit (John 15:1-10). Jesus said you would know them by their fruits (Matt 7:15-20). We certainly can’t produce any fruit on our own apart from Christ, for without Him, we’d be fruitless and bound for the burn pile (John 15:5). The only fruit humans can produce apart from Christ is bad fruit, llike anger, lust, rage, hate, and adulteries. Jesus is clear that the “Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples” (John 15:8). Bearing fruit (love, peace, joy, kindness, longsuffering, etc.) proves to ourselves and to others that we are truly Jesus’ disciples. Many, and I mean many, think they are saved, but those same “many” (not a few) will face eternal judgment and the shock of their lives (Dan 12:1-3; Matt 7:21-23; Rev 20:12-15).

Human Fruit

The Apostle Paul gives us a great description of the only fruit humans are capable of producing on their own, and it’s not pretty because “the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal 5:19-21). If a person has more fruits like these, then they have deceived themselves into thinking they are saved, but clearly, “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal 5:21). Regardless of what a person claims (a believer), their fruit reveals their true root.

Godly Fruit

Now the huge difference is that humans naturally produce their own fruit and it’s all carnal or fleshly, but only the Holy Spirit can produce godly fruit through Jesus Christ. That’s because it’s a supernatural fruit; a supernatural work of God because this fruit comes as a direct result of God, not us. Paul shows us that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal 5:22-23). Which fruit does a person’s life display the most of? Then that’s the “alpha male” or the dominant works. If of the Spirit, that person shows by their works (their life of obedience) that they are truly saved, but even those who say they believe but bear no godly fruit are no better than the demons. James would tell them, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder” (James 2:19)! Intellectual belief with no obedience (works) will never save them. Jesus tells us over and over, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples” (John 8:31b).

Warn Them

There should be no “fruitless” Christians. That is not possible because the Bible says we will absolutely produce fruit (Gal 5:22-23). This is so because “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17). Every believer will produce fruit or they’re simply not a believer at all. Jesus said if they had any works, it was to be seen of men, and they may have thought their works would save them, but we know works can’t save us (Eph 2:8-9). Works cannot save…but the saved do works. We were not saved by works but for works (Eph 2:10). Listen to the most fearful warning Jesus ever gave about false converts. Our Lord said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matt 7:21). If He’s not your Lord overall, He’s not your Lord at all! By “doing” and not saying, we show we are His.

At the final judgment, Jesus said that “many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name” (Matt 7:22)? Notice there are “many” who are saying this, so it appears that the majority will claim to know Christ. There will be many, and not the few. We know many are called but only a few are chosen (Matt 22:14). Finally and tragically, Jesus says “I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (Matt 7:23). People often say, “I know Christ,” but the most important question you will ever ask is, “Does Christ know you? And know you by name” (John 15:1-10)?

Summary

Can you see why we have to wake up those who are deceived and still dead in their sins (Eph 2:1-5) and still think they’re going to heaven? They profess faith but don’t possess faith. If they professed faith they would produce works of faith and they would not still be lying, stealing, gossiping, never attending church or attending to the Lord’s Supper (both imperatively commanded). They have no works of the Holy Spirit, thus showing they are not God’s children but children of the Devil. You cannot be saved and have no fruits or good works, otherwise what you think you have faith in, can’t save you. It’s not faith in your faith, but faith in Christ which always produces obedience (good works). Otherwise, their professing of faith is a faith that cannot save them from the wrath of God after death (Heb 9:27) or at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev 20:12-15).

Conclusion

I pray you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.

Here is some related reading for you: Why Can’t I Get to Heaven Through Good Works?

Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^® (ESV^®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Tagged as: Decieved, faith, Fruits, grace, works