Can anyone tell where in the bible does it talk about having genuine faith?

Answer 1

You are right. There is genuine faith, and there is 'pretend' faith, and it is good to read of the "unfeigned faith" of Timothy and his mother and grandmother. (2Timothy 1.5) - They did not have to put anything on. They were saved by grace through faith.

Genuine faith is also mentioned in 1Timothy 1.5.

Answer:

There are two kinds of faith: that which men conjure up within themselves... and the faith which God gives to those whom He calls.

Each is "genuine" in its own way... as most men, ignorant of the Truth of God, are "genuinely sincere" about what they "believe."

The "genuine" faith of God, on the other hand, doesn't come from within our "easily-deceived" selves... but from God Himself.

"For it is by Grace you have been saved, THROUGH FAITH -- and THIS [faith] IS NOT FROM YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD -- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Eph.2:8-10 NIV)

Those whom God calls are "dead" to the faithless ways of the natural man [that most men beileve to be 'genuine faith' from within themselves, believing in other gods, philosophies or created things]. And God's Children are created anew in Christ, through His Holy Spirit, which gives them God's Faith [belief and trust in God's Word and His laws, to act obediently upon it].

Most men throughout the generations have been blinded by Satan to God's Truth... and they have lived and died in that ignorance, believing in false and vain things. They were never given "God's genuine Faith," Knowledge and Understandingbecause He didn't call them out of the world to be among His Firstfruits [His first generation of Children in the Family of God]. They shall receive God's Grace in the Judgment of the Last Great Day of God's plan.

Paul tells us that he was like this vast majority of mankind. The difference between them and him was that "God called him" and not them.

"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to His service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown Mercy BECAUSE I ACTED IN IGNORANCE AND UNBELIEF." (I Tim.1:12-13 NIV)

Most men, convinced of the things in which they believe... do so because God's Truth and subsequent Faith was never revealed or given to them, by God's Grace.

Paul speaks to those whom God has revealed Himself, to whom He has given a measure of His Genuine Faith [to live, learn and grow with it]. He talks about some who have abandoned whatever measure of Faith He gave them to convince others to follow their own vain imaginings.

"...that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's Work -- which is by Faith. The goal of this command is LOVE, which comes from a Pure Heart and a Good Conscienceand a Sincere Faith." (I Tim.1:3-5 NIV)

"Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm. We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the Righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious... and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the Blessed God, which He entrusted to me. (verses 6-11)

"The Grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, ALONG WITH FAITH and Love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners -- of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His Unlimited Patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive Eternal Life." (verses 14-16)

These are some passages that speak of the "Genuine Faith of [from] God"... that comes as a Gift from Him, and not the false, deceptive, carnal minded faith, beliefs and imaginings that emerge from within all of us, which we otherwise [without God's calling] sincerely consider to be "genuine."