How do we know that genuine faith is important for Christians?

Genuine faith, described as 'unfeigned' or unhypocritical, is crucial for Christians because it signifies a heart truly transformed by God's grace. In 1 Peter 1:22, believers are called to love one another with a pure heart, rooted in the new birth. This transformation leads to a faith that looks solely to Christ for righteousness, not in conjunction with personal merit or past experiences. When faith is true and genuine, it acknowledges our desperate need for Christ, dismissing any pretense of self-righteousness.