This is part 4 of "Thanks & Giving," our series at Fusion Christian Church where we reflect on how to be both grateful and generous in our lives. In this sermon, Pastor Zac teaches about "True Religion" vs. "Fake religion."

Real religion is your inward faith made visible. 

The bible teaches that good works are the fruit of a good tree. If a person has true faith in Christ, good works will result. Works do not happen by accident, but are the natural outgrowth of faith. True, real religion, then, is the visible part of someone's invisible faith. No one but God can see into the hearts of men, so the only way we can know if someone's faith is real is by their outward expression of it.

True religion starts with love for Jesus.

Loving Jesus is what kicks it all off. If we don't have a genuine love for Jesus Christ underneath our good works, then it is all worth nothing. Maybe our good works help others, but they do nothing to help us with God. God is not interested in our good works if they are not resting on a relationship with him.

True religion proves itself in your love for others.

We see true religion proven when we see a Christian loving his neighbors. Christian love is not an idle feeling, but a decision to do what is best for someone else. As Christians, God calls us to love those around us. This means we must choose to do what is best for them even when it costs us.

True religion demonstrates itself by meeting the needs of others.

Finally, actually doing the good works is where the rubber meets the road. Our love for others and desire to have the best for them propel us to meet their needs. Good Christians love God first, love others second, and demonstrate both of these by meeting their neighbors' needs. How can you meet the needs of your neighbors this week?