Saving Faith

 

What is faith?

 

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Hebrews 11:1.  [Substance or, “ground,” confidence”]

 

How important is faith? What must one believe about God?

 

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Verse 6.

 

Christ and Saving Faith

“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Matthew 11:27.  

 

“In whom must we believe in order to be saved?

 

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.

 

How only can a man be justified? Since the law cannot justify a sinner, is it thereby rendered without value?

 

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Romans 5:1. “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.” Romans 3:20.

 

What will be the experience of those who walk after the Spirit?

 

“In order for the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what the nature desires; but hose who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” Romans 8:4-7. “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14. 

 

Genuine Faith and Its Fruits

 

What challenge does the Apostle James make as to the evidence that one has genuine faith?

 

“But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me our faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.” James 2:18. 

 

How did Abraham show that he had perfect faith in God?

 

“Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see his faith and his actions were working together, and by faith was made complete by what he did.” Verses 21,22. 

 

By what practical example does the apostle illustrate the difference between genuine, living faith and a dead faith?

 

“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If anyone says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” Verses 15,16.

 

How necessary are works in maintaining living faith?

 

“You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body and the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” Verses 20-26.

 

What does the hope of salvation lead one to do?

 

‘Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.” 1 John 3:3.

 

Upon what condition are we made partakers of Christ?

 

“We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.” Hebrews 3:14.

 

Faith or Feeling

 

Upon what condition has God promised us cleansing and the forgiveness of our sins?

 

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us from sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:7-9.

 

Upon what, then, is genuine, saving faith based?

 

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17.

 

What was the cause of Peter’s sinking after he had started to meet the Savior on the stormy sea?

 

“Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31.

 

Note – Peter’s fear of the boisterous sea caused him to doubt the strength of God’s word, “Come.”

 

With what is it our privilege to be filled?

 

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13. 

 

Everyday Faith

 

Faith may be strengthened by daily exercise. It is not some great thing, done at once for all, that gives individual faith; but an everyday, simple, childlike trust in God, and an implicit obedience to His word. Some make faith a more difficult matter than God would have them, because they try to embrace too much at one time. They take on the burdens of tomorrow or next week, when the Lord supplies strength only for Today. When tomorrow comes, grapple with its duties, but not until it does come. We should remember the precious promise, “And your strength will equal your days.”

Deuteronomy 33:25.

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