Faith that Saves
The matter of your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior is vitally important. Yet, if you might ask, many people will claim to have faith, but most then can’t tell you what or who they actually have faith in. This sounds more like they only have a wish for things to go well. They also may claim to have spirituality… meaning they believe in unicorns or some sort of esoteric thing.
We need to consider the kind of faith that saves a person’s soul from “everlasting destruction” (2Thessalonians 1:9). This verse speaks of total destruction, not eternal suffering as purported by the many religion institutions of man.
Faith is… Taking God at ‘His Word’ – and resting upon His Faithfulness to accomplish.
Faith is taking God at His “word” that says;
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who First Trusted In Christ.
13 In whom [in Christ], ye also trusted After That Ye HEARD THE WORD Of Truth, The GOSPEL OF YOUR SALVATION:
in whom [in Christ], also After That YE BELIEVED, Ye Were Sealed [eternally securely] With That Holy Spirit of Promise, (Ephesians 1:12-13 (KJV)
Actually, faith is simple. We all exercise faith daily while driving our automobiles expecting on-coming traffic to stay on their side of the road, etc.
Yet, when we come to the Bible, many lose their common sense. As stated, many say I believe, but they can’t tell what exactly they believe. They think if they just believe hard enough good things will come true.
Others say; “Salvation is not a gift of God, because you have to believe.” This is foolishness. Consider the Apostle Paul’s words here in Romans 4:5.
5 But to him that Worketh NOT, but [rather] BELIEVETH ON HIM [Jesus] that justifieth [declares “the ungodly” righteous in God’s eyes] the ungodly, his FAITH Is Counted For Righteousness. Romans 4:5 (KJV)
So then, genuine faith (belief) excludes ‘working to earn Salvation.’ Note the context of the above verse:
20 He [Abraham] … was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he [God] had promised, he was able also to perform.
22 And therefore [based upon his faith] it [Abraham’s faith] was Imputed [or Counted] To Him For Righteousness.
23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But For Us Also, to whom it shall be imputed [counted], IF WE BELIEVE ON HIM THAT RAISED UP JESUS OUR LORD FROM THE DEAD;
25 WHO [JESUS] WAS DELIVERED FOR OUR OFFENCES [SINS], and was raised again for our justification [being declared righteous, by God]. (Romans 4:22-25 (KJV)
CHRIST ALONE, and HIS CROSS-WORK ON OUR BEHALF, has merited our Salvation according to Paul’s “gospel of the grace [free gift] of God” (Acts 20:24). Thus, Paul also wrote;
8 For BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED Through FAITH; and that NOT of yourselves: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD: 9 NOT of [good or religious) works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but [rather] ACCORDING TO HIS MERCY HE SAVED US, by the washing of REGENERATION [a new cleansed beginning], and RENEWING of [by] the Holy Ghost; Titus 3:5 (KJV)
Paul further sums this up by these verses:
25 [Jesus] Who was delivered [up at the Cross] for our offences [Sins], and was raised again for our justification [for our being declared righteous in God’s eyes]. (Romans 4:25 (KJV)
21 For he [God the Father] hath made him [Jesus] to Be Sin FOR US, [Jesus] who knew no sin; [SO] THAT WE MIGHT BE MADE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM [in our Faith Union With Christ]. (2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV)
Faith incorporates these three elements;
- KNOWLEDGE – One must come to know “In Whom” and “In What” they must TRUST
12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 2 Timothy 1:12 (KJV)
- BELIEF - One must accept the Biblical facts. 20 He [Abraham] staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but Was Strong In Faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he [God] had promised, he was Able Also To Perform.
- TRUST – After knowing and accepting the Biblical facts as being TRUE, one must rely upon them to accomplish what is claimed. One can and must then rest in that truth of their SALVATION.
The reason we can live in “full assurance of Salvation,” that we have been justified, redeemed, propitiated for, and reconciled with God is because our FAITH HIS IN WHAT GOD HAS SAID, not in our feeble, unreliable, self. For, God is faithful and He cannot lie (Numbers 23:19).
Now, because my faith is in what God said, then it is true that the day and moment that I first trusted in Jesus Christ as my personal Savior… God Saved me. This I know because God said so. Therefore, on the authority of God’s “word,” I KNOW I now have eternal life resident within my spirit.
17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit [with Him]. 1 Corinthians 6:17 (KJV)
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [referring the Jesus] was made [became] a quickening [life-giving] spirit. 1 Corinthians 15:45 (KJV)
HIS ‘WORDS’ are spirit and “life” to us.
63 It is the spirit that quickeneth [gives life]; the flesh profiteth nothing: THE WORDS That I Speak Unto You, THEY ARE SPIRIT, and THEY ARE LIFE. John 6:63 (KJV)
Now we see the importance and value of “the WORD of God” that we call the Bible… as it speaks of the real life, liberty and eternal salvation.