Today, we start a new series on faith: What is saving faith? You may already believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, yet by itself, is no proof that you are born again and on your way to heaven. The New Testament tells us "Many believed in His name when they saw the miracles He did. However, Jesus did not commit Himself to them. (John 2: 23, 24) "As He spake these words many believed on Him," (John 8: 30), yet v. 59 shows that a little later they sought to stone Him! "Among the chief rulers also many believed (not simply 'about', but) on Him." Notice what comes immediately after: "But because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God" (John 12: 42, 43)." This is proof that they were strangers to a saving work of God in their souls" yet they were "believers" in the Lord Jesus!
Let us establish the point of what saving faith is not:
1. James 2: 19: "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble."
BELIEVING IN GOD IS NOT GOING TO SAVE YOU.
2.Mark 5: 7: "And cried with a loud voice, and said, what have I to do with thee, Jesus thou Son of the most high God...." The demon possessed man recognized that Jesus was the Son of God.
BELIEVING THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD WILL NOT SAVE YOU.
So, what is saving faith?
Section 1: Faith is Supernatural
There is a faith in Christ which is saving, and there is a faith in Christ which is not saying. Possibly you may think, "But I know that mine is the former: I have seen myself as a lost sinner, realized I could do nothing to gain acceptance with God, and I have put my trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ. You may think so, but Jeremiah 17: 9 says the heart is terribly deceitful and who can understand it. Revelation 12: 9 states that Satan will deceive the entire world. This issue is to important to give yourself the "benefit of the doubt." You may say, "But I know that my faith in Christ is a genuine and saving one, for it rests upon the sure Word of God. There have been many who were equally sure as you are that are now in hell. Have you tested your faith by Scripture? Are you aware that you can have a faith that is accompanied by those evidences which are inseparable from a saving faith? Listen very carefully: A SAVING FAITH IS A SUPERNATURAL THING WITH SUPERNATURAL FRUIT.
Section 2: Characteristics of Saving Faith
A. Saving faith is a purifying faith. Acts 15: 9 reads: "purifying their hearts by faith." A purified heart is one that has been purged of all impure idols and turned to a living and true God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). It loathes all that is sinful and loves all that is holy. A pure heart is one that has been cleansed from the love of all that is evil.
B. Saving faith is one that works by love. Galatians 5: 6 states "...but faith which worketh by love." Faith is a mighty principle of operation by which the Christian lives unto God, by which he walks the path of obedience, by which he resists Satan, and denies his flesh. And this, not from fear, but "by love." Perfectly? In this life, No, but actually and in the main, Yes. We aren't perfect, but we strive to be.
C. Saving faith is an overcoming faith. "Whosoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." (1 John 5:4) God has opened the eyes of the Christian to see the hollowness and worthlessness of the best that this poor world has to offer. He has weaned his heart from the world by satisfying it with spiritual and heavenly things. A fountain is known by the waters which issue from it, so the nature of your faith may be ascertained by what it is bringing forth.
Questions to ask yourself:
1. Have you been saved from a dislike of God's commands and a disrelish for His holiness?
2. Have you been saved from pride, from covetousness, from murmuring?
3. Do you hate sin?
4. Do you hate gossip?
5. Is Jesus Christ the Lord of your life?
Christ died not to procure the pardon of our sins and the taking us to heaven, while our hearts still remain clinging to the things of earth. He lived and died so that His Spirit might make us alive in Him and make us "new creatures."
Characteristics of Faith that Doesn't Save
The following are examples of a faith that does not save:
1. Any faith that does not include repentance. Jesus said, "Except ye repent ye shall likewise perish." Peter said on the day of Pentecost, "Repent...." People may have a sincere belief in Jesus but without repentance, it is not a faith that will convert you.
2. Any faith that does not include the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Paul told the jailor, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and ye shall be saved...." Any profession without Lordship will not save the lost soul.
3. Any faith that does not give the person a desire for holiness. "Pursue peace and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord."
4. Any faith that it is not preceded by a conviction of sin. A true faith results when the person has the fallow ground of their heart broken up by the Holy Spirit and they see themselves as a lost sinner headed to hell. Without conviction of personal sin, there is no saving faith.
Conclusion
Acts 16:31 says: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." (Acts 16:31) The apostles did not tell the jailor to "rest on the finished work of Christ"; instead, they set before him a Person. Nor did they say, "Believe on the Savior", but "on the Lord Jesus Christ." Saving faith necessarily involves the renouncing of our own sinful, "lordship", the throwing down of the weapons of our warfare against Him and submitting to His yoke and rule. Before any sinful rebel is brought to that place, a miracle of grace has to be wrought within him. SAVING FAITH CONSISTS OF THE COMPLETE SURRENDER OF MY WHOLE BEING AND LIFE TO THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST: "they first gave their own selves to the Lord (2 Corinthians 8:5).
Have you? Listen, have you?
Next week: False Faith.
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