Saved By Faith

That one may be saved by faith is without dispute by those who believe God and the Bible. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11:6). "...ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." (John 8:24). "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:16).

Faith is trust or reliance upon something. The faith that saves is trust or reliance upon Christ. His words direct us in the course that ends in His gracious salvation. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith" (Romans 1:16, 17a). Faithfulness is fidelity or continued practice of His teaching. "The just shall live by faith." (Romans 1:17b) "...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." (Revelation 2:10).

The faith that saves is predicated (based) on knowledge of God's word, the Gospel. "...Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17). "...Preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved..." (Mark 16:15-16a).

The faith that saves is a complete reliance upon Christ for direction in this life, for salvation, and eternal life in the world to come (Romans 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:1, 6). This faith rests on Christ's word (the Gospel) alone. (Romans 10:17).

"Faith" falling short of complete reliance upon Christ's words and works is ineffectual. James asks, "What does it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?" (James 2:14). James answers, "even so faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone...ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only...for as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (James 2:17, 24, 26).

Is the doctrine of salvation by faith alone wholesome? The Bible says it is not. (James 2:14). Faith must be combined with works to be "perfect" and for man to be justified (James 2:20-24). What works are acts of faith and thus necessary? They are works God ordains in His word. (Romans 10:17; John 12:48; Hebrews 5:8-9). "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, let any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:8-10)

"By graced are ye saved through faith." (Ephesians 2:8). How can I know that I have been saved by faith? Faith that saves is wholly based on the Gospel. (John 20:30-31; Romans 10:17). Faith or religion based on the doctrines of men is vain. (Matthew 15:9). I know I am saved by faith when my faith is in the teaching of God.

Faith is trust in Christ and His word. It is confidence in God's promises and submission to His will. A faith that does not move one to obedience to God's wishes is dead (James 2:14-26). The Gospel has been preached for obedience to the faith among all nations (Romans 1:5; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 10:34-35). I may know I am saved if I am faithful in doing God's ordained works (Mark 16:16; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 2:10).

Practice of faith is the means by which one is reckoned righteous or justified (1 John 3:7-8; James 2:21-24). Doing works of a faith fashioned by men is not faith that saves (Romans 4:1-8; Ephesians 2:8-9). Works of the Old Testament, if practiced today, are not faith (Romans 4:9-16). God has made Moses' law old (Hebrews 8-10). His law ordained for today is the New Testament of Christ (Galatians 6:2; Romans 1:16-17; Ephesians 2:8-10). "The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11).

From Our Archives, 1995
By: Joe Spangler