SAVING FAITH
Romans 4:20-25 Abraham did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, (21) and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. (22) And therefore "IT WAS ACCOUNTED TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS." (23) Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, (24) but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, (25) who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.
Three main aspects of saving faith -
1) Belief (in Christ as Lord & Savior) -
1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
2) Conviction (being convinced that the Gospel is the truth) -
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
3) Trust (in Christ's finished work on the cross & in Christ's imputed righteousness to us) -
2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Ephesians 1:13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
Rom. 10:17 - faith from hearing - through the Word
Ro 10:17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Ephesians 2:8 - saving faith is a gift from God
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
Philippians 1:29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
1 Cor. 2:13-14 - not human wisdom but spirit, man does not understand
1 Corinthians 2:13-14 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (14) But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Acts 22:14 - chosen to know His will, words from God
Acts 22:14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
Gal. 3:2,5 - by believing what you heard
Gal 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Gal 3:5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, [doeth he it] by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Eph. 4:20-24 - heard the truth; your old way put off, new in way & mind, given righteousness
Ephesians 4:20-24 But you have not so learned Christ, (21) if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: (22) that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, (23) and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, (24) and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
James 1:22 - not just listening, but doing
Jas 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
James 2:17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
James 2:22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;
James 2:26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
True faith is accompanied by works; accompanied by works, NOT gained by works. True faith produces fruit as the following verses show -
John 15:5-6 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (6) If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
1 John 5:20 - God gives us the understanding
1John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, [even] in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
Mat. 13:10-11, 16 - knowledge given by God to those chosen, given in sight & hearing
Matthew 13:10-11,16 And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" (11) He answered and said to them, "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. (16) "But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear;
Luke 8:10 - His words are clear to those who are truly His
Lu 8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
John 6:44-45 - were given to Jesus by God, who chooses whom He wishes. And He teaches us by the spirit that lives inside
John 6:44-45 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. (45) "It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.
Eph. 1:17-19 - all illuminated by the power from God, inherited
Ephesians 1:17-19 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, (18) the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, (19) and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power
John 14:26, 16:13 - the Holy Spirit teaches, knowledge is God's only
Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, [that] shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
Psa. 119:97-102 - you must love God's word to gain the knowledge which keeps you from wrong and it sets a good example
Psalms 119:97-102 MEM. Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. (98) You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. (99) I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. (100) I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts. (101) I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. (102) I have not departed from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me.
2 Tim. 2:15 - Christ's people handle the truth properly, not for self-seeking purposes
2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Exod. 31:3, 36:1-2 - God gives the wisdom to know how to work and to want to work
Ex 31:3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
Exodus 36:1-2 "And Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whom the LORD has put wisdom and understanding, to know how to do all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, shall do according to all that the LORD has commanded." (2) Then Moses called Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, everyone whose heart was stirred, to come and do the work.
2 Tim. 3:15-17 - we know that God gave us His word to correctly handle & to be equipped for His work
2 Timothy 3:15-17 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (16) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (17) that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.