The Hallmarks of Authentic Faith, Part 2 – Hebrews 11:7

What are the hallmarks of authentic faith? It’s somber and terrifying to think that many who believe they are saved will one day hear from Jesus, “I never knew you.” (Matt 7:22-23) Thankfully, we don’t have to worry or live in constant doubt of our salvation because Scripture describes characteristics of true faith. In this account of Noah’s life, we consider three hallmarks of authentic faith. The first is obedience. Noah took God’s Word seriously and took immediate heed of God’s warning by building the ark. (Gen 6:22) He was full of conviction even when he didn’t yet see the things God had promised or warned him of, because Noah had faith. (Heb 11:1) He trusted God in reverence and love, and knew Him intimately- he knew God was good, and he was assured that whatever God did was out of His goodness. Obedience is of utmost importance, because it is a matter of life and death. By Noah’s obedience, Noah and his family were saved from the flood. All believers are saved because of Jesus’s obedience to the Father. We can not neglect obedience, not because we are saved by our obedience, but because we are saved for obedience to Jesus Christ. Lordship salvation is biblical- it is the only way God describes the nature of true salvation. (1Jn 2:3)

The second sign of authentic faith is that it is not silent or hidden. Noah’s act of obedience in faith condemned the world of its widespread sin. (Gen 6:5) As God’s elect, He considered the building of the ark as his calling, because he knew of God’s imminent judgment and His gracious provision of salvation. The ark- being the only means for man’s salvation- represented Jesus Christ. Like Noah, we are God’s elect who know of His coming judgment and His way of salvation. We must condemn the world by delivering the gospel of Jesus Christ to all men. (Jn 3:16,18-20) Not only must we merely speak of God’s salvation, but we must show it by being salt and light of the world. We must be set apart in holiness, and walk in such a way that reflects Christ and His gospel to this condemned world. (Matt 5:13-16)

Finally, if you have authentic faith, you must be aware of what you have, and what you are. Every Christian is a fellow heir with Christ. (Heb 1:2) He is a child of God, which is an honor that surpasses any worldly position. We were once dead and alienated from God in our sin, but God raised us up with Christ through faith and imputed His perfect righteousness to us. Now that we are in Christ, there is absolutely no separation between us and God, and there is no more guilt. We are no longer defined by worldly circumstances, but by faith, we are heirs of God’s righteousness.

By Noah’s example, let us examine our lives for these hallmarks of authentic faith. By faith, Noah obeyed God’s Word, proclaimed and lived by the gospel, and became an heir of God’s righteousness.