— “The issue isn’t the confession of faith,but whether the Gospel truly rules the heart.”
📖 Summary
Many profess faith in Christ but live as if He doesn’t exist.
This happens when people possess nominal faith —
faith in name, not in nature.
True conversion produces visible transformation.
“You will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matt. 7:16)
1️⃣ Introduction | “Why do some Christians act worse?”
Hypocrisy in the church isn’t new.
Jesus Himself warned, “Not everyone who says ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom.” (Matt. 7:21)
The question isn’t, “Do you go to church?”
but “Does Christ live in you?”
2️⃣ Biblical Foundation | True Faith Bears Fruit
📘 James 2:17 (ESV) — “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
📘 Matthew 7:21 (ESV) — “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter.”
📘 1 John 3:9–10 (ESV) — “No one born of God makes a practice of sinning.”
📘 Romans 6:2 (ESV) — “How can we who died to sin still live in it?”
→ Real faith doesn’t just believe — it transforms.
3️⃣ Theological Insight | Nominal Faith vs True Regeneration
📜 John MacArthur — The Gospel According to Jesus
“Many accept Jesus as Savior but not as Lord.
The Gospel demands submission, not sentiment.”
📜 R.C. Sproul — Essential Truths of the Christian Faith
“True conversion changes the will, not just emotions.”
📜 John Piper — Desiring God
“Regeneration makes sin hateful and God delightful.”
📜 Jonathan Edwards — Religious Affections
“True grace always bears the fruit of holiness.”
📜 Westminster Confession of Faith XVI.2
“Good works are the necessary evidence of genuine faith.”
4️⃣ Misconceptions vs Biblical Truth
| Misconception | Root | Biblical Correction |
|---|---|---|
| “Going to church means being Christian.” | Externalism | Fruit proves faith. (James 2:17) |
| “God looks only at the heart.” | Emotionalism | True heart produces obedience. (Matt 7:21) |
| “Sin doesn’t change salvation.” | Cheap grace | Regeneration breaks sin’s rule. (1 John 3:9) |
| “Everyone sins anyway.” | Excuse-making | Habitual sin reveals spiritual death. (Rom 6:2) |
5️⃣ Application | Living as a True Christian
1️⃣ Make Christ the Lord, not just Savior.
2️⃣ Hate sin — don’t justify it.
3️⃣ Seek visible fruit of faith.
4️⃣ Let your faith be tested in community.
5️⃣ Repent repeatedly, not rationalize repeatedly.
6️⃣ Conclusion | Christianity Is Not a Label — It’s Life in Christ
True Christianity is not behavior management but heart transformation.
The name “Christian” means nothing without Christ within.
“Genuine faith doesn’t just talk about Christ —
it lives like Christ.” — Revito
Faith. Truth. Renewal. — Revito
🔖 Hashtags
#NominalFaith #TrueConversion #Regeneration #James2 #Matthew7 #Romans6 #1John3 #JohnMacArthur #RCSproul #JohnPiper #JonathanEdwards #WestminsterConfession #ReformedTheology #FaithTruthRenewal #Revito
