What The Bible Says About FaithSample

Saving Faith

Saving faith is part of humanity’s response to God in the salvation experience. It is as simple as looking to Jesus for salvation (John 3:14–16). Saving faith is both simple and complex. It is as simple as a drowning man reaching for a rope, yet at the same time it sets in motion all the judicial machinery of heaven, in keeping with the ultimate purpose of God. While believing is simple, there are some for whom it is too simple, and they find that difficult. In the Scriptures, the intensity of one’s faith is not as important as its object.

Often belief in the gospel produces an emotional response (Acts 16:34), although, because individual personalities differ, it is not wise to use emotion as a test of faith. Ultimately, saving faith is expressed as an act of the will. Repentance and faith are in essence two sides of the same coin called “conversion.” 

Illustration

When the Philippian jailer asked, “What must I do to be saved?” (thus reflecting a spirit of repentance), Paul and Silas responded, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:30, 31).
 

Application

To be saved a person must trust Christ alone for his salvation. (First Reference, Hebrews 11:1–4; Primary Reference, Ephesians 2:8, 9; compare Romans 3:28.)

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