Quit Faking It: Get a Faith That Gets the Job Done
I think we can all agree that we have moments when our faith looks way stronger than it really is. We know the moves. We can stand in a worship service and sing the songs like we mean every word. We can post the Bible verse with a perfect sunrise in the background. We can say, “I’ll be praying for you” without even pausing to pray. From a distance, it looks great. The leaves are green, the branches are full. But walk a little closer… and there’s no fruit. No depth. No power. Just a pretty picture that’s not producing anything.
And here’s the part that humbles me: Jesus sees it. Every time. He’s not fooled by my performance or impressed by my presentation. He looks right through the leaves and sees the roots. But here’s the miracle: He’s not coming toward me with condemnation. He’s not crossing His arms and shaking His head. He’s coming toward me with freedom in His hands. He’s saying, Let’s deal with this together. Not so He can expose me, but so He can set me free.
Because He knows the truth, pretending is exhausting, and it never produces life. He didn’t die and rise again, so we could fake it till we make it. He came so we could live fully alive.
Over the next three days, we’re going to lay down the pretense, strip off the spiritual mask, and step into the kind of faith that doesn’t just look good… it works. It bears fruit. It actually gets the job done.
Day 1: Don’t Just Look Alive — Be Alive
Scripture: Matthew 21:18-19
Jesus didn’t curse that fig tree because He hates plants. He wasn’t out there on some kind of anti-agriculture rampage. And He wasn’t having a “hangry” meltdown because breakfast didn’t work out. No, this was on purpose. This was a living, breathing, right-in-front-of-the-disciples parable.
From a distance, that tree looked awesome. Big, beautiful leaves waving in the breeze. The kind of tree you’d take a picture of and post on Instagram with the caption “#blessed.” But when you get up close? Nothing. No figs. No food. Just a lot of show.
That’s the picture Jesus is painting for us. And if we’re honest, it’s way too easy for us to live that way. On the outside, it looks like we’ve got it together. We’re in church most Sundays, we’ve got a Bible app streak going, maybe a “Pray More, Worry Less” bumper sticker on the car. But then life hits, or somebody needs something real from us, and… nothing. We’ve got the leaves, but no fruit.
God’s not impressed by leaves. He’s not grading us on how put-together we look from a distance. He’s looking for fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Stuff that actually feeds people. Stuff that actually makes a difference when the world is hungry for something real.
Application:
Think about your week. Have you been living connected to God, or just checking in occasionally? What’s one thing you can do today, prayer, scripture, worship, serving, to intentionally reconnect?
Prayer:
Lord, keep me connected to You. Remind me that without You, I can do nothing. I want my life to overflow with Your love so that others experience You through me. Amen.
Day 2: Fruitlessness Has Consequences
Scripture: John 15:5-6
Jesus doesn’t beat around the bush here. Fruitfulness isn’t an option extra for believers. It is the only option. It’s what happens naturally when you’re plugged into Him, the Source of life. It’s like a branch connected to a tree. If you’re in Him, you’ll bear fruit. If you drift away, you start drying up.
But here’s the real kicker: when we’re fruitless, it’s not just a personal problem. It’s not just about us missing out on blessings or feeling dry inside. The people God puts in our lives, our families, friends, neighbors, coworkers, they miss out too.
God’s mission to love, heal, and redeem this broken world isn’t some abstract cosmic plan. It’s personal. It’s specific. It’s about you and how He wants to use your life to make a difference.
And when we disconnect from Him, when we cut ourselves off from the Source, we cut ourselves off from that mission.
So fruitlessness isn’t just about a lack in our own hearts. It’s about lost opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the people around us. That’s why Jesus calls us back to connection, back to abiding, back to real, life-giving faith.
Because God’s love is unstoppable when it flows through a faithful, fruitful follower.
Application:
Think about your week. Have you been living connected to the Vine, or just checking in occasionally? What’s one thing you can do today, prayer, scripture, worship, serving, to intentionally reconnect?
Prayer:
Lord, keep me connected to You. Remind me that without You, I can do nothing. I want my life to overflow with Your love so that others experience You through me. Amen.
Day 3: Faith That Gets the Job Done
Scripture: Matthew 21:21-22
This is where Jesus flips the whole fig tree thing on its head. He’s not just making a point about what happens when there’s no fruit. He’s showing us what’s possible when there’s faith. And not just “churchy” faith, not the faith you put on in the lobby so everyone thinks you’ve got it together. I’m talking about real, rooted, anchored faith in the actual power of God.
See, the fig tree looked good from a distance, but up close, there was nothing to feed anyone. That’s what happens when we’ve got leaves without life. But Jesus says, “Let’s talk about when there is life. Let’s talk about when you actually believe what I’m saying to you.”
When that happens? Mountains move. Not metaphorical “cute Christian Instagram quote” mountains. I mean, actual impossible things start shifting. That shame you’ve been dragging around for decades? Gone. That addiction you swore would always own you? Broken. That bitterness that’s been poisoning every relationship? He can rip it out.
It’s not about us looking awesome. It’s not about a bigger platform, more likes, or people going, “Wow, what a strong believer.” It’s about God showing Himself powerful through a life that’s actually surrendered to Him.
You see, faith isn’t pretending. Faith is taking God at His word and betting your life on it. It’s saying, “God, I’m not enough, but You are. So I’m going to step out on what You’ve said, even if it doesn’t make sense, even if it feels scary, even if it costs me.”
And when you do that? Stand back. Because stuff’s gonna move. Not because of you… but because of Him.
Application:
What’s your “mountain” right now, that one thing that feels immovable? Instead of faking it and acting like it’s no big deal, bring it to God in prayer today. Believe that He can do something about it.
Prayer:
God, I believe You can move mountains. I bring You the impossible things in my life and trust that You are able. Help me to live out a faith that’s real, powerful, and anchored in You. Amen.
Faith that actually gets the job done? It’s not loud. It’s not flashy. It’s definitely not Instagram-perfect. You’re not gonna find it in a viral post or a catchy hashtag.
No, real faith is steady. It’s rooted deep in the soil of God’s promises. It’s the faith that keeps showing up day after day, even when no one’s watching. It shows up when you’re tired, discouraged, or just plain bored with the routine of following Jesus.
Over the last few days, we’ve seen something clear: God isn’t after your “leaves.” He isn’t after your good looks, your polished Instagram feed, your well-rehearsed prayers. He’s after your heart.
He’s not impressed by appearances. He’s after transformation. A faith that changes you from the inside out. A faith that bears fruit no matter what’s going on around you.
So here’s the challenge: let’s quit faking it. Stop trying to convince yourself or others that everything’s fine when it’s not. Stop covering up the dry spots and the cracks.
Instead, stay connected to Jesus, the true Source of life and power.
And then? Watch what happens when you trust Him for the real thing.
Because real faith? That’s the kind that moves mountains.
Copyright 2025 The Foundry - A Christian Church
All Rights Reserved.