Sunday, November 4, 2018 am
WHAT TYPE OF FAITH
SAVES?
It
is important that we have a proper understanding of what faith really
is. Faith is crucial to our
salvation (Hebrews 6:1, 1 John 5:4, etc.).
It is the foundation upon which we will build a spiritual life (2
Peter 1:5ff). So this
morning we want to remind ourselves about what faith is and how it is
essential to our salvation.
a.
Faith is defined as a
firm persuasion. We
genuinely trust that something is true and put our confidence in that
fact. When you get on an
airplane, you have faith – the plane is safe, the pilot knows what he is
doing, the navigation system works to get you where you need to go,
there is enough fuel to get you there, etc.
Typically, when we speak of faith, we are thinking of our faith in God
and Jesus Christ, as they are the giver of salvation as we properly
respond to their invitation.
b.
Hebrews 11:1 – it is the
substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
The point of this is that faith involves the spiritual realm – believing
in God and what He has promised us, even though we have not experienced
these things with the physical senses – seen them or touched them, etc.
c.
Faith involves more than
merely believing IN God, it involves believing God – and there is a big
difference, as we shall see.
d.
Faith involves trusting
God. A mature faith is
one that will not forsake Him no matter what.
Abraham being one of the greatest examples of this faith.
e.
The word faith can be
used in different ways. It
can refer to our inward and personal trust – often called belief, or it
can refer to the process involved in our salvation – an inclusive word
for everything we need to do as He has commanded us.
a.
John 3:16, Romans
1:16-17, 5:1-2 – notes that we are justified by faith and through Jesus,
we have access by faith to the grace of God in which we stand.
Ephesians 2:8-9 notes that we are saved by grace through faith, and that
it is not something that we have earned (not of works, lest anyone
should boast).
Faith is absolutely essential to our salvation.
b.
But is “faith alone” or
“belief alone” what is taught in these verses?
Are these verses saying that
there is nothing we need to do in response to the grace of God?
It is my conviction, that while belief is at the very foundation
of faith and everything we do, it is what leads us to do what He tells
us and thereby leads us to salvation.
You will notice in these passages that NONE of them say we are saved by
“faith alone” or “faith only”.
c.
The fact that more than
mere belief is necessary is seen in numerous passages that show failed
belief.
i.
John 12:42-43 – many
believed in Jesus but did not confess Him.
ii.
James 2:19-20 – the
demons believed in God and trembled.
In the life of Jesus we see how they reacted to Jesus.
They knew WHO He was.
iii.
James 2:14-17 – observes
that faith without works is dead.
Faith, not demonstrated is usless and powerless.
iv.
James 2:24 –– we are
justified by works, and “not by faith only” – the only verse in
scripture that uses that expression.
d.
That faith is more than
mere belief is also seen by the numerous examples in scripture of faith.
Just briefly consider from Hebrews 11.
i.
Noah – Hebrews 11:7, by
faith he built an ark
ii.
Abraham – Hebrews 11:8-9
– by faith he got up and went.
11:17-19 – by faith he offered up his only begotten son, Isaac.
iii.
Moses – Hebrews 11:24-27
– he left Egypt, giving up the treasures of Egypt to follow God.
a.
There are many things
associated with our salvation.
This we accept and do by faith.
b.
An understanding that
God has done His part
i.
God’s grace – Ephesians
2:4-10, 1:7, Titus 2:11-12, etc.
ii.
The blood of Jesus –
Ephesians 1:7, Romans 5:6-10, etc.
iii.
The gospel – 1
Corinthians 15:1-2, Romans 1:16
c.
What about things we are
called upon to do to be saved?
i.
Hearing God’s word – Acts 11:14, Romans 10:17 – we must LEARN the truth.
We need the gospel, but we have to hear it.
ii.
We have to believe – have faith – John 3:16, Mark 16:16, Romans 10:9-10
NOTE: Believing is described as a work – John 6:28-29, 1 Thessalonians
1:3.
The point being that even the act of belief is doing something that sets
the believer apart from the unbeliever.
iii.
We need to love Him- 1 Corinthians 16:22. Note: Is love the same thing as faith?
Consider 1 Corinthians 13:13. It is His love for us that compels
us to love Him (and obey Him) – 1 John 4:19
iv.
Repentance
– 2 Corinthians 7:10 – godly sorrow produces repentance leading to
salvation. Acts 2:38 –
repent and be baptized. 3:19, 2 Peter 3:9 – God commands all men to
repent. Does one need to
repent to be saved?
v.
Obedience –
John 3:16, 36 – note that in vs. 36 two different words are used.
One means believe, and the other means obey – they are compared
with one another.
We need to obey the truth – 1 Peter 1:22-23
Hebrews 5:9 – even as Jesus, He is the author of eternal salvation to
all who obey Him
James 2:24 - context 14-26 – justified by works, NOT by faith only.
A context where James calls for us to act upon our faith, or else
it is dead
Matthew 7:21-27 – it is not enough to say, “Lord, Lord” – we must do the
will of the Father.
2 Thess. 1:8-9 – flaming fire for those who do not obey the gospel
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Consider the example of Naaman -2 Kings 5 – it was only after he dipped
7 times in the Jordan that he was healed of his leprosy.
To do this, he needed to believe it would work and respond to the
instructions.
vi.
Confessing Christ –
Romans 10:9-10, Matthew 10:32
vii.
Baptism – Mark 16:16,
Acts 2:38, 22:16, 1 Peter 3:21, Romans 6:3-4, etc.
viii.
Faithfulness, following
obedience – Matthew 10:22, Matthew 28:20 – observe all things commanded,
etc.
d.
NOTE: None of these
verses tells us everything associated with our salvation.
So which ones do we choose to accept, and which ones can we
reject? I contend that we
need to choose ALL of them, and reject NONE of them.
e.
But does this mean that
we have earned our salvation?
Absolutely not! There
is NOTHING we can do to earn our salvation.
All we are doing is obeying His instructions to receive
salvation. It is that
simple. Consider Luke 17:10
– when we have done all, say, “We are unprofitable servants.
We have done what was our duty to do.”
Just like EVERY example of faith we read of in Hebrews 11 where they
believed and obeyed God, and then He gave them what He promised.
1 Peter 3:20-21 explains this concerning baptism – it is NOT the getting
wet that saves, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through
the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Which of these do we need to do?
There is no single passage that tells us everything we need to
do. If so, what about all
the other passages that do NOT include whatever that one thing is.
Faith, is a word that can describe our personal trust or belief, but it
can also be used in a general or more inclusive sense of ALL that we are
called upon to do. as we have
noted in times past, is often a word used to describe the PROCESS
involved in our salvation.
That is the point of Ephesians 2:8-9.
We cannot EVERY earn our salvation!
But just because it is a gift, doesn’t mean we are not called
upon to accept it.