"Authentic Faith, Authentic Reputation"

Let me ask you something straight: If someone secretly followed you around for a week, recording your every move, every conversation, every reaction—what would they learn about your faith?

Would they find a man or woman of integrity? Would they say, “Now that is someone who truly lives what they say they believe”? Or would they see someone who sings about grace on Sunday morning but snaps at the waitress by lunch? Someone who posts Bible verses online but gossips at work on Monday morning?

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not asking if you’re perfect. None of us are. I’m asking if what you believe actually shows up in how you live.

Because in a town like Devine, Texas, reputation matters. People watch. They notice. They remember. And you don’t need me to tell you this—they’ll sniff out a fake faster than a skunk on a summer night.

And here’s what’s even more serious: Jesus said that when people look at you, they’re supposed to see him.

So the question we’ve been asking in this whole series comes down to this final message: Do I have an authentic faith, or just the appearance of one?

James, the half-brother of Jesus, doesn’t pull any punches. He’s not writing to boost your self-esteem. He’s writing to shake us awake. He says it plain in

James 1:22 ESV

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

You see, there’s a kind of religion that sounds nice, feels spiritual, and even shows up at church—but doesn’t touch the heart. And James says it’s worthless. It’s a mask. It’s a counterfeit.

But there’s another kind of faith—authentic faith—that actually transforms how we live. And that’s the kind of faith that reflects Christ to a watching world.

We live in a time when appearances carry more weight than authenticity. You can curate a version of yourself online that gets likes, shares, and affirmation—even if it’s not remotely close to who you really are. You can walk into church with a smile and a Bible in hand, nodding at the right times, maybe even quoting a verse or two—and still have a heart untouched by the gospel.

It’s easy to convince others. But the scary part is this: James says it’s possible to deceive yourself.

Let that sink in.

You can hear the Word. You can be moved by it. You can even agree with it. But if you don’t do it—if it doesn’t actually change how you speak to your spouse, how you treat your coworkers, how you respond to your enemies—then James says your faith is all show and no substance. And worst of all, you may not even know it.

We’re not talking about failing occasionally—we all stumble. We’re talking about a lifestyle where the Word of God enters the ears but never takes root in the heart. It’s like looking in the mirror, seeing the mess, then walking away like everything’s fine.

It’s not enough to hear a good sermon. It’s not enough to attend a good church. It’s not enough to know the truth. The world doesn’t need more Christians who nod along on Sunday but vanish into the crowd on Monday.

And James, ever the pastor and truth-teller, gives us three distinct marks of authentic faith—faith that goes beyond appearance and actually reflects the heart of Christ in daily life.

So here’s the first truth we need to hear today:

Authentic faith responds obediently to the Word of God

James begins with a clear and uncompromising command in James 1:22 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

Now let’s just be honest—there’s not a person in this room who hasn’t heard the Word of God. Many of us have grown up in church, sat through hundreds of sermons, heard more podcasts and devotionals than we can count. But James makes it clear: hearing is not enough. God is not impressed with how many sermons we’ve heard, how many verses we’ve underlined, or how well we can quote the Bible. What he’s looking for is obedience.

And let’s be clear: this isn’t legalism. This is living faith. This is the kind of faith that says, “Lord, not only do I believe you, but I will follow you. I’ll adjust my life to match your Word.”

James gives us a vivid image to drive this point home. He says that someone who hears the Word but doesn’t obey is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and then walks away forgetting what he looks like.

That’s absurd, right? Can you imagine looking in the mirror first thing in the morning—hair wild, breakfast on your chin, a sleepy eye—and just shrugging and walking out the door? Of course not! That mirror tells you something needs to change. And James is saying, the Word of God functions like that mirror. It shows you where things are out of place. It reveals the sin, the pride, the bitterness, the apathy that we might otherwise ignore.

But if we only hear it and don’t do anything about it—James says we’re deceiving ourselves.

This is the danger: we can mistake knowledge for transformation. But they are not the same. Just because you know what the Bible says doesn’t mean it’s actually shaping your life.

Let me give you a practical example.

Let’s say a man reads Ephesians 4:29—“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up…”—and he nods his head. “That’s good,” he says. “I should probably work on that.” But then he leaves the room, gets in the car, and rants at a driver who cuts him off. Or he gets home and uses his words to tear down his spouse or children. He heard the Word. He may have even agreed with it. But it didn’t shape him. It didn’t form his actions. James says that’s a deceived man.

Obedience is what reveals authenticity. Not perfect obedience, but genuine, growing obedience. The kind that takes the Word seriously. The kind that says, “Lord, I’m not just listening—I’m responding.”

And notice the promise James gives in James 1:25 “But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”

That phrase—“the law of liberty”—is powerful. You see, obeying God’s Word isn’t about chaining yourself to some moral performance treadmill. It’s not about trying to earn God’s favor. No, James says it’s a law of freedom. Why? Because when we live in step with God’s design, we begin to experience what life was meant to be. There is blessing in obedience—not just heavenly reward, but present-day freedom, peace, and purpose.

Think of it like this: A fish is free when it’s in the water, right? That’s its design. But if the fish decides that “freedom” means jumping out of the tank, it might feel thrilling for a moment—but it won’t be long before that fish is gasping for air. That’s how it is with God’s Word. It’s not a cage—it’s the water we were made to swim in.

When we follow Jesus—not just in our minds, but with our lives—we discover a kind of freedom this world can’t offer.

Now let me say this clearly for us as a church: our community doesn’t need more religious noise. They need to see real obedience. They need to see Christians who listen to the Word and live it out—in their businesses, their homes, their schools, their conversations, their relationships.

Your neighbor may not open a Bible, but they are watching you. And when your life matches what you say you believe, your witness becomes undeniable.

This is authentic faith: a life shaped by the Word of God.

And that leads us to the second truth James gives us, because he doesn’t just stop with obedience in general—he zooms in on the kind of obedience that truly reflects the heart of Jesus.

Authentic faith controls the tongue and cares for the vulnerable

James is a pastor who writes like a prophet—he’s bold, blunt, and driven by the Spirit. And after telling us that authentic faith responds obediently to the Word, he gets even more specific. He wants us to see that true religion—true Christianity—isn’t some vague, internal sentiment. It’s not a private spirituality that keeps to itself. It shows up in how we speak and in how we treat people—especially those who can do nothing for us in return.

James 1:26 says “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.”

That’s strong language. Worthless. James isn’t saying you lose your salvation when your mouth gets the better of you—he’s saying that if your pattern of speech doesn’t change, if your words are consistently cutting, crude, arrogant, or careless, then your faith may not be what you think it is. You might be fooling everyone else—and even yourself—and James says your religion isn’t real.

We don’t like to think about it that way. We might say things like, “I just speak my mind,” or “I didn’t mean it, I was just frustrated.” But Jesus said, Luke 6:45 “out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” What comes out when you’re angry or tired or cornered—that’s revealing what’s in you.

Words matter. They can build up or tear down. They can start wars or bring peace. They can reflect the grace of Christ—or the brokenness of the world. And James is clear: a tamed tongue is a mark of authentic faith.

Let me put it in everyday terms for our folks in Devine: if you wouldn’t say it in front of Jesus, maybe it shouldn’t be said at all. If your reputation is solid at church, but you’re known for stirring gossip at work, snapping at your spouse, or blowing up on Facebook, then something’s not lining up.

But it’s not just our speech that reflects our faith—it’s our compassion.

James 1:27 “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction…”

In other words, authentic faith moves toward those in need. It doesn’t sit back with arms crossed, waiting for someone else to care. It moves outward—toward the hurting, the forgotten, the overlooked.

Why does James mention orphans and widows? Because in the first-century world, these were the most vulnerable members of society. They had no voice, no power, no income, and often no protection. And James is saying that if our religion is real, it will show up in how we treat those who have nothing to offer us in return.

And let’s just be real: it’s easy to overlook people who don’t benefit us. We live in a world that praises influence, rewards power, and values productivity. But the kingdom of God turns all that upside down. It says, “The least of these matter.” It says, “Blessed are the merciful.” It says, “Whatever you’ve done for the least of these, you’ve done it unto me.”

So how do we reflect Christ in a watching world? We speak words that heal. We look out for people who’ve been ignored. We open our homes, we give generously, we show up for people when everyone else has walked away. And not to look impressive. Not to build a brand. But because that’s what Jesus did for us.

Remember what James called it? “Pure and undefiled religion before God.” That’s what real worship looks like. It’s not just about Sunday songs. It’s about Monday service. It’s not just about lifting our hands in the sanctuary—it’s about reaching out our hands to someone in need.

And church, I have to say this with all the love I can: if our Christianity doesn’t make a difference in our homes, in our town, in the margins of society—then we’re missing it. People don’t care how “right” we are until they see how much we love.

The good news is that this kind of authentic faith isn’t out of reach. It’s not just for spiritual superstars. It’s for ordinary followers who take the Word seriously, surrender their tongues to the Lord, and start seeing people the way Jesus does.

But James ends this section by warning us about a third mark of authentic faith—something that’s easy to ignore but crucial to our witness.

He says there’s a kind of subtle, creeping influence that can corrupt even the most outwardly religious life. It’s not just about what we do or what we say—it’s about what we absorb from the world around us.

And that brings us to the third and final truth for today:

Authentic Faith Stays Unstained by the World

Let’s take a deeper look at what James means by staying “unstained by the world,” and why that matters so much for those of us who want to reflect Christ in a watching world.

James closes this section with a phrase that’s easy to read quickly—but rich with meaning:

James 1:27 “…and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

Now this isn’t about isolating yourself from society. James isn’t telling believers to move out to the hills, build bunkers, and never interact with culture. He’s not calling for fear or withdrawal—he’s calling for faithful resistance. He’s reminding us that if we truly belong to Christ, we must live in the world without being formed by it.

To be “unstained” is to walk through the mud of culture without letting it cling to your soul. It’s to live in the same neighborhoods, work the same jobs, go to the same schools, eat at the same restaurants—but with a different allegiance. It’s to remember, every single day, that you are not your own. You’ve been bought with a price. And because of that, your values, your vision, your voice—they’re all set apart for the glory of Jesus.

Now, when James says “the world,” he’s not talking about people. He’s talking about the systems, values, and mindsets that run counter to God’s kingdom. The world says, “Look out for number one.” Jesus says, “Die to yourself.” The world says, “Get more.” Jesus says, “Give more.” The world says, “Make your name great.” Jesus says, “Humble yourself and lift up his name.”

And here’s the hard truth: if we’re not careful, we’ll begin to soak up the world’s values without even realizing it.

It’s like when I went to a BBQ restaurant recently. I didn’t notice the smell at first—but I stayed there long enough that by the time I left, my clothes were saturated with the smell of smoke. The only way to stay unstained is to recognize the influence, resist it, and be continually washed by the Word.

James isn’t calling us to a one-time commitment—he’s calling us to an ongoing, intentional way of life. The verb he uses—“keep oneself unstained”—is continuous. This isn’t passive. It’s proactive. It’s a fight of faith. A daily decision to walk in holiness when compromise is easier. A daily refusal to conform when it would be more convenient to blend in.

Now, this doesn’t mean we walk around with a holier-than-thou attitude. In fact, that would be the opposite of what James has been teaching us. Authentic faith is humble, compassionate, and merciful. But it’s also distinct. It doesn’t flirt with sin. It doesn’t excuse bitterness, or greed, or gossip, or lust. It doesn’t bend the truth when it’s popular to do so. It’s clean because the Savior who lives within us is holy.

Let me make it plain: our reputation in the community should be one of integrity, not imitation. The world doesn’t need more Christians who look just like them with a cross necklace on. The world needs believers who are transformed, renewed, and courageous enough to stand out for the right reasons.

When people see your life—your decisions, your relationships, your priorities—they should get the sense that you march to a different drumbeat. That your life isn’t dictated by trends or politics or popular opinion. That your anchor is deeper, your hope is firmer, your joy is not dependent on circumstances.

This is what it means to be “unstained.” Not perfect. But pure-hearted. Devoted. Different.

And James says that if we don’t pursue this—if we let the world shape our desires, our conversations, our calendars—then we may have religion, but not the real thing. We might have Sunday habits, but not a Christ-centered heart.

So let me ask you: where has the world started to rub off on you? Are there places in your life where compromise has crept in? Have you started to justify things that Scripture clearly condemns? Have your affections shifted from Christ to comfort?

James gives us this closing charge because he knows the battle is real. He’s not scolding us—he’s shepherding us. He wants us to walk in freedom. He wants us to experience a kind of faith that the world can’t manufacture and can’t explain—because it’s rooted in the righteousness of God.

And here’s what ties all of this together: responding to the Word, speaking with grace, caring for the least, and walking in holiness—these are not four disconnected ideas. They are four strands of the same cord. Together, they form a life that reflects the authenticity of Jesus.

So let’s step back and pull the thread through this passage.

What does it mean to reflect Christ in a watching world? It’s not about appearances. It’s not about religious checklists. It’s about a life that has been so deeply changed by the gospel that you can’t help but live differently.

And that leads us into our next move—because hearing this isn’t enough. We have to do something with it.

Now that we’ve heard James’ message, let’s take a moment to wrestle with what it means for us personally. This isn’t a call to try harder or fake it better—it’s an invitation to walk in authenticity. It’s time to take off the mask, step into the light, and let the Spirit of God shape our lives from the inside out...

Let’s be honest for a moment—some of us have been wearing masks for a long time.

We’ve gotten good at playing the part. We know how to say the right things, show up at the right times, bow our heads, raise our hands. But inside… if we’re real… we know something’s off. Our faith has been more about appearances than alignment. We’ve heard the Word, but we haven’t obeyed it. We’ve praised with our lips, but not bridled our tongues. We’ve kept our distance from the broken instead of drawing near. And in more ways than we’d like to admit, the world has left its stain on us.

But here’s the good news: Jesus didn’t come to help us fake it better—he came to make us new.

This passage from James isn’t a guilt trip—it’s a gracious invitation to live differently. To trade in hollow religion for a holy relationship. To stop just talking about Jesus and start actually reflecting him.

And that starts with one word: repentance.

Repentance isn’t just about feeling bad. It’s about realigning your life with the truth. It’s about saying, “Lord, I’ve been hearing, but not doing. I’ve been talking, but not taming. I’ve been watching from a distance when I should’ve been stepping in. Cleanse me. Change me. Lead me.”

So let me ask you plainly:

Where do you need to respond obediently to the Word?

Who needs to hear words of life from your lips instead of criticism or sarcasm?

Who is God calling you to care for—someone on the margins, someone who's hurting, someone who has no one else?

What part of your life has been stained by the world’s influence—and needs to be washed clean again?

You might think, “It’s too late… I’ve already blown it.” But friend, listen: Jesus specializes in restoration. Think of Peter! He denied our Lord three times and then later, Jesus restored him. Jesus doesn’t just forgive you—he empowers you. He gives you a new heart, new desires, new direction.

And he’s not asking for your performance—he’s asking for your surrender.

We don’t reflect Christ by trying harder. We reflect Christ by staying close to him. And the closer we walk with Jesus, the more his life will flow through ours—into our homes, our neighborhoods, our workplaces, our friendships. And yes—even into our reputation.

Because a watching world isn’t looking for perfection. It’s looking for authenticity. For people who live what they believe. For people who speak with kindness, love sacrificially, and stand firm in a world that’s shifting. For people who’ve been with Jesus.

And church, we can be those people. Not because we’re strong, but because Jesus is. Not because we’re flawless, but because God’s grace is enough.

So today, as we close this series, let’s ask God to strip away what’s fake and fill us with what’s real.

Let’s respond to the Word. Let’s tame our tongues. Let’s care for the hurting. Let’s stand clean in a stained world. And let’s do it all—not to impress others—but to reflect the Savior who gave his life for us.

Because when Christ is truly formed in us… everything changes. And faith that’s real will always be revealed.

See this isn’t just about what we do. It’s about who we’re becoming. And there’s a promise built into this passage for everyone who takes the call seriously.

James said it plainly in James 1:25 “he will be blessed in his doing.”

Let’s lean into the promise of blessing and encouragement God gives to the obedient...

James 1:25 “But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”

Sometimes we hear a hard word like the one James gives us and we think, “This is going to cost me.” And you’re right—it will. Obedience will cost you comfort. Integrity will cost you approval. Compassion will cost you convenience. Holiness will cost you popularity.

But James wants us to see the other side of the coin: the reward of obedience far outweighs the cost.

God does not bless performance. He blesses obedience. He blesses the man who humbles himself, who opens the Word not just to study but to submit. He blesses the woman who shows up with hands open, heart surrendered, saying, “Lord, whatever you say, I will do.”

And that blessing is more than just future reward—it’s present freedom. It’s walking through life with the peace that comes from knowing your heart is clean. It’s lying down at night without the weight of guilt because you’ve walked in truth. It’s finding joy not in recognition but in the quiet knowledge that your Father sees you.

Obedience is where blessing lives. Not because God owes us anything, but because walking in his ways leads to flourishing. Because the “law of liberty” that James speaks of is not a set of burdens, but a pathway to joy.

Think about it:

When you speak life instead of criticism, you breathe peace into your home.

When you care for someone overlooked, you open the door to healing—maybe even salvation.

When you resist the stain of the world, you shine with a light the darkness cannot comprehend.

And isn’t that what we want? Isn’t that what this whole series has been about? Not just managing our image, but reflecting Christ. Not just caring about what people see, but caring that what they see looks like him.

You may feel ordinary, but the world sees it when your faith is real. Your coworkers notice. Your neighbors notice. Your kids definitely notice.

And more importantly—your Father in heaven sees. He sees when you forgive instead of retaliate. He sees when you hold your tongue instead of unleashing it. He sees when you love the unlovable. He sees when you take that quiet stand for truth.

And he says, “That’s my child. That’s my reflection.”

So don’t grow weary in doing good. Don’t buy the lie that obedience is wasted. Don’t settle for a reputation that’s impressive but hollow.

Walk the narrow path. Speak grace. Serve others. Resist compromise. Reflect Christ.

Because the world is watching—but more importantly, the King is watching. And he has promised: “You will be blessed in your doing.”

And that blessing is not just for you. It spills over. It points people to Jesus. It changes homes. It changes towns. It changes eternities.

So now, the question becomes—what do we do with what we’ve heard?

We’ve talked about obedience. We’ve talked about our speech, our service, our separation from the world. Now it’s time to take a step.

So now, here we are.

After eight weeks of walking through this series, we’ve heard the Word. We’ve been challenged to die to image, to let go of people-pleasing, to embrace suffering with joy, to live for God’s approval, to be transformed in our thinking—and now, to walk in authentic faith.

But let me ask you: What’s going to change on Monday? Because if all we do is hear these messages and never live them, we’ve missed the point entirely. The world doesn’t need more sermons. It needs more sermons lived out.

So here’s the challenge—the action step—for each of us as we conclude this journey:

1. Choose one clear act of obedience this week. Ask the Spirit, “Where do I need to obey?” Maybe it’s apologizing to someone you’ve wronged. Maybe it’s breaking a habit that’s been staining your soul. Maybe it’s reaching out to someone who’s hurting. Don’t just think about it. Do it.

2. Speak words of life. Before you speak, post, text, or vent—ask, “Will this reflect Christ?” Let’s be a church known for gracious words, for healing words, for truthful words spoken in love.

3. Care for someone in need. James says that pure religion shows up in how we treat the vulnerable. Who is the “widow or orphan” in your life this week? It could be a single mom. An elderly neighbor. A foster child. A grieving family. Show up. Love well.

4. Evaluate your influences. Where is the world leaving its mark on you? What are you watching, consuming, repeating, absorbing that is slowly dulling your sensitivity to the Spirit? What’s staining you? Identify it. Repent of it. Replace it with truth.

And finally—

5. Reflect Christ intentionally. Don’t coast. Don’t blend in. Don’t wait for someone else to step up. Take the message of Christ and wear it on your life. Not perfectly—but genuinely.

This isn’t about becoming someone else. This is about letting Christ shine through who you already are—at work, in your home, in the grocery store, in the stands at the ballgame, in every ordinary moment of life.

This is what it means to reflect Christ in a watching world. To live a life that says, “I belong to Jesus.” To stop managing your image and start mirroring his. To be different—not for the sake of being different, but because you’ve been made new.

So church, let’s not just end a sermon series. Let’s begin a lifestyle. Let’s be a people of authentic faith, authentic reputation, and authentic love. Not for our name, but for the name of Jesus.

Let’s go live this out.