What is Saving Faith?

[RobertPate]

Before we can know what saving faith is, we will have to know what saving faith is not.

Saving faith is NOT faith in a church or a religious organization.

Saving faith is NOT faith in a mystical religious experience.

Saving faith is NOT faith in keeping the law or the commandments.

Saving faith is NOT faith in a doctrine or a creed.

Saving faith is NOT faith in anything that that we do or become.

Saving faith is NOT faith in our ability to please God.

Saving faith is NOT faith that we have been predestinated.

Saving faith is NOT faith that we have been infused with the righteousness of Christ.

Saving faith is NOT faith in a preacher or a priest.

WHAT IS SAVING FAITH?

Saving faith is faith that Jesus Christ has fulfilled all of the promises that God made to Israel in the Old Testament, Acts 13:32-33, Acts 2:39.

Saving faith is faith that Jesus Christ as God's new Adam and humanities representative has fulfilled all of the righteous demands of God's Holy Law for us, Romans 10:4.

Saving faith is faith that Jesus Christ has atoned for our sins and the sins of the whole world, 1 John 4:14.

Saving faith is faith that Jesus Christ has reconciled us and the whole world unto God the Father, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19.

Saving faith is faith that Jesus is the "King of Kings and the Lord of Lords" Revelation 19:16.

Saving faith is faith that Jesus Christ has victoriously defeated sin, death and the devil in our name and on our behalf, Colossians 2:15.

Saving faith is faith that God raised Jesus from the dead, Romans 10:9.

Saving faith is faith that believes Jesus has justified, sanctified and redeemed us unto God the Father, 1 Corinthians 1:30.

Saving faith is a faith that believes we are complete in Jesus Christ, Colossians 2:10.

Saving faith is a faith that believes we have ceased from our own works and have entered into his rest, Hebrews 4:10.

Saving faith is a faith that believes we are accepted only in Jesus Christ, Colossians 3:3.

Saving faith is nothing more than simple childlike faith in the work and the person of Jesus Christ. The Bible makes it very clear that because of the work and the person of Jesus Christ we are justified by faith alone. The reason that we are justified by faith alone is because we are justified by Christ alone. All of the work of salvation has already been done. There is nothing left for us to do, but to receive what God has already done for us in Jesus Christ.

 

[d taylor]

-​

Saving faith as the title suggest, is saving faith, because of the object (Jesus), the faith a person is being placed in, is offering eternal life salvation. It is not as many believe, a special faith that God only gives to specific people so they can believe.

I define faith as being persuaded by evidence that a promised or statement is true. So when a person is persuaded, a promise or statement is true, then they believe the promise or statement. Can you come to believe something is true after examining the evidence and then not believe it.

So with that said (above), God has promised that anyone who believes in His Son (Jesus, The Messiah) has received His (God's) free gift of Eternal Life. He list/states no other condition to be met.

I believe God's promise is true, so i know i have received God's free gift of Eternal Life. Why because i have believed in The Messiah for Eternal Life, I need absolutely no other evidence, than God's promise.

And not only does God promise Eternal Life to a person who believes in The Messiah. God also promises that He will never lose the believer who has trusted in The Messiah, no matter how their earthly live plays out.

 

[Ligurian]

What is Saving Faith?

James 2:21-26 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?[22] Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?[23] And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.[24] Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.[25] Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent [them] out another way?[26] For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Matthew 7:24-27 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man which built his house upon the rock:[25] and the rain descended and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house: and it fell not, for it was founded upon the rock.[26] And every one that heareth these sayings of Mine and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man which built his house upon the sand:[27] and the rain descended and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house: and it fell, and great was the fall of it.

Matthew 10:5-42 [22] And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Revelation 3:8-13 [8] I know thy works. Behold, I have set before thee an open door and no man can shut it, for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word and hast not denied My name.

Abraham, when God gave him the Promise Covenant, was required to become circumcised. The flesh and blood parts of animals were God's part of this Covenant, but the flesh and blood of Abraham were Abraham's part of the Covenant. Faith without works is dead.

 

[Daniel9v9]

Saving faith is trust in the person and works of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has paid for our sins in full on the cross, that we may die to sin and live to righteousness.

 

[RobertPate]

James 2:21-26 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?[22] Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?[23] And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.[24] Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.[25] Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent [them] out another way?[26] For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Matthew 7:24-27 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man which built his house upon the rock:[25] and the rain descended and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house: and it fell not, for it was founded upon the rock.[26] And every one that heareth these sayings of Mine and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man which built his house upon the sand:[27] and the rain descended and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house: and it fell, and great was the fall of it.

Matthew 10:5-42 [22] And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Revelation 3:8-13 [8] I know thy works. Behold, I have set before thee an open door and no man can shut it, for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word and hast not denied My name.

Abraham, when God gave him the Promise Covenant, was required to become circumcised. The flesh and blood parts of animals were God's part of this Covenant, but the flesh and blood of Abraham were Abraham's part of the Covenant. Faith without works is dead.

James was a Judaizer. A Judaizer is someone that believes in Jesus, but also believes that you most follow the law of Moses. The book of James was written to law keeping Jews, James 1:1. Not to Gentile believers. James attempted to circumcise Gentile believers, Acts 15:1-21. Paul and Barnabas had to straighten him out. James also sent men to spy on Peter and Barnabas to see if they were eating with Gentiles, Galatians 2:12. Paul had to straighten them out.

I see that you are a Nazarene. Nazarenes practice Old Covenant religion of works and law. Under the New Covenant God's people are justified by faith, Romans 4:5 and not by the works of the law. Paul said, "By the deeds of the law (what you do) no flesh will be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin" Romans 3:20.

Christians are justified by faith alone, because they are justified by Christ alone. Jesus justifies the ungodly, Romans 4:5 and reconciles them unto God, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19. No laws, rules or religion was needed. It was all of God.

 

[disciple Clint]

Before we can know what saving faith is, we will have to know what saving faith is not.

Saving faith is NOT faith in a church or a religious organization.

Saving faith is NOT faith in a mystical religious experience.

Saving faith is NOT faith in keeping the law or the commandments.

Saving faith is NOT faith in a doctrine or a creed.

Saving faith is NOT faith in anything that that we do or become.

Saving faith is NOT faith in our ability to please God.

Saving faith is NOT faith that we have been predestinated.

Saving faith is NOT faith that we have been infused with the righteousness of Christ.

Saving faith is NOT faith in a preacher or a priest.

WHAT IS SAVING FAITH?

Saving faith is faith that Jesus Christ has fulfilled all of the promises that God made to Israel in the Old Testament, Acts 13:32-33, Acts 2:39.

Saving faith is faith that Jesus Christ as God's new Adam and humanities representative has fulfilled all of the righteous demands of God's Holy Law for us, Romans 10:4.

Saving faith is faith that Jesus Christ has atoned for our sins and the sins of the whole world, 1 John 4:14.

Saving faith is faith that Jesus Christ has reconciled us and the whole world unto God the Father, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19.

Saving faith is faith that Jesus is the "King of Kings and the Lord of Lords" Revelation 19:16.

Saving faith is faith that Jesus Christ has victoriously defeated sin, death and the devil in our name and on our behalf, Colossians 2:15.

Saving faith is faith that God raised Jesus from the dead, Romans 10:9.

Saving faith is faith that believes Jesus has justified, sanctified and redeemed us unto God the Father, 1 Corinthians 1:30.

Saving faith is a faith that believes we are complete in Jesus Christ, Colossians 2:10.

Saving faith is a faith that believes we have ceased from our own works and have entered into his rest, Hebrews 4:10.

Saving faith is a faith that believes we are accepted only in Jesus Christ, Colossians 3:3.

Saving faith is nothing more than simple childlike faith in the work and the person of Jesus Christ. The Bible makes it very clear that because of the work and the person of Jesus Christ we are justified by faith alone. The reason that we are justified by faith alone is because we are justified by Christ alone. All of the work of salvation has already been done. There is nothing left for us to do, but to receive what God has already done for us in Jesus Christ.

Saving faith is NOT faith that we have been infused with the righteousness of Christ.

Why does Christ’s righteousness need to be imputed to us? | GotQuestions.org
What Does the Bible Say About Righteousness In Christ?

 

[GDL]

WHAT IS SAVING FAITH?

Saving faith is faith that Jesus Christ has fulfilled all of the promises that God made to Israel in the Old Testament, Acts 13:32-33, Acts 2:39.

Saving faith is faith that Jesus Christ as God's new Adam and humanities representative has fulfilled all of the righteous demands of God's Holy Law for us, Romans 10:4.

Saving faith is faith that Jesus Christ has atoned for our sins and the sins of the whole world, 1 John 4:14.

Saving faith is faith that Jesus Christ has reconciled us and the whole world unto God the Father, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19.

Saving faith is faith that Jesus is the "King of Kings and the Lord of Lords" Revelation 19:16.

Saving faith is faith that Jesus Christ has victoriously defeated sin, death and the devil in our name and on our behalf, Colossians 2:15.

Saving faith is faith that God raised Jesus from the dead, Romans 10:9.

Saving faith is faith that believes Jesus has justified, sanctified and redeemed us unto God the Father, 1 Corinthians 1:30.

Saving faith is a faith that believes we are complete in Jesus Christ, Colossians 2:10.

Saving faith is a faith that believes we have ceased from our own works and have entered into his rest, Hebrews 4:10.

Saving faith is a faith that believes we are accepted only in Jesus Christ, Colossians 3:3.

Saving faith is nothing more than simple childlike faith in the work and the person of Jesus Christ. The Bible makes it very clear that because of the work and the person of Jesus Christ we are justified by faith alone. The reason that we are justified by faith alone is because we are justified by Christ alone. All of the work of salvation has already been done. There is nothing left for us to do, but to receive what God has already done for us in Jesus Christ.

We have to believe all of this to be saved?

So with that said (above), God has promised that anyone who believes in His Son (Jesus, The Messiah) has received His (God's) free gift of Eternal Life. He list/states no other condition to be met.

I believe God's promise is true, so i know i have received God's free gift of Eternal Life. Why because i have believed in The Messiah for Eternal Life, I need absolutely no other evidence, than God's promise.

That's all we have to believe to be saved?

At least we're not being told that all we have to believe is 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.

 

[GDL]

James was a Judaizer.

Paul had to straighten them out.

Should we remove James the Judaizer from the canon?

 

[GDL]

we are justified by faith alone.

Slogans are not always accurate. Thus, the counter-slogan, "Faith is never alone"

The reason that we are justified by faith alone is because we are justified by Christ alone.

But this negates God the Father's work & God the Holy Spirit's work in our justification. Again, with the slogans...

 

[d taylor]

We have to believe all of this to be saved?



That's all we have to believe to be saved?

At least we're not being told that all we have to believe is 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.

Jesus is the resurrection and the life. So yes believing in The Messiah is the only act needed to receive God's free gift of Eternal Life. And that action is a one time belief that happens in a moment of time. It does not have to be believed for a persons entire life. As the parable of the soils illustrates.

1st Corinthians 15 is Paul addressing believers who do not believe in the resurrection.

 

[disciple Clint]

Jesus is the resurrection and the life. So yes believing in The Messiah is the only act needed to receive God's free gift of Eternal Life. And that action is a one time belief that happens in a moment of time. It does not have to be believed for a persons entire life. As the parable of the soils illustrates.

1st Corinthians 15 is Paul addressing believers who do not believe in the resurrection.

It does not have to be believed for a persons entire life.

Based on what?

 

[d taylor]

Based on what?

A very clear promise from God, that all who trust in The Messiah has crossed over from death to life.

Unless you have as clear of a statement from God that a person who has trusted in The Messiah can cross back over to death from life. Them there really is noting further to discuss.

 

[GDL]

believing in The Messiah is the only act needed to receive God's free gift of Eternal Life

What's a "Messiah" & what does believing in the Messiah mean & include?

It's good to see you say "believing" is an act, because some in GES have worked hard to say it's purely passive.

1st Corinthians 15 is Paul addressing believers who do not believe in the resurrection

"Believers"? It seems like it based upon his opening, but he's also talking about a lot of division in the congregation. Paul says later in chapter 15 that our faith is worthless if there is no resurrection and if no resurrection, then Jesus is not Messiah/Christ. In Romans 10, Paul also speaks of the importance of belief in the resurrection. Resurrection is one of the signs in John that Jesus is the Messiah/Christ (whatever a Messiah/Christ is). Post crucifixion and resurrection, if they deny the resurrected Messiah/Christ, at some point, are they "believers"?

 

[GDL]

A very clear promise from God, that all who trust in The Messiah has crossed over from death to life.

Unless you have as clear of a statement from God that a person who has trusted in The Messiah can cross back over to death from life. Them there really is noting further to discuss.

You highlight John 5:24 in your posts page and thus the "has crossed over" statement.

• First, it's a perfect tense verb that speaks of the current condition based upon some past action. Typically, either the past action or the current condition is highlighted. It says nothing about the future. Do you get the assured future from the word "eternal"?

• How do you compare 1 John 3:14 (same writer) that uses the same verb and also brings in the issue re: "abiding"?

• As you know, the warnings that some take as speaking of a loss of salvation have various interpretations. In a simple statement, how do you interpret them - what is their purpose?

Just a sidenote: Since this verse talks about believing in our Father for eternal life, IMO it removes the accuracy of "...in Christ Alone."

 

[fhansen]

Before we can know what saving faith is, we will have to know what saving faith is not.

Saving faith is NOT faith in a church or a religious organization.

Saving faith is NOT faith in a mystical religious experience.

Saving faith is NOT faith in keeping the law or the commandments.

Saving faith is NOT faith in a doctrine or a creed.

Saving faith is NOT faith in anything that that we do or become.

Saving faith is NOT faith in our ability to please God.

Saving faith is NOT faith that we have been predestinated.

Saving faith is NOT faith that we have been infused with the righteousness of Christ.

Saving faith is NOT faith in a preacher or a priest.

WHAT IS SAVING FAITH?

Saving faith is faith that Jesus Christ has fulfilled all of the promises that God made to Israel in the Old Testament, Acts 13:32-33, Acts 2:39.

Saving faith is faith that Jesus Christ as God's new Adam and humanities representative has fulfilled all of the righteous demands of God's Holy Law for us, Romans 10:4.

Saving faith is faith that Jesus Christ has atoned for our sins and the sins of the whole world, 1 John 4:14.

Saving faith is faith that Jesus Christ has reconciled us and the whole world unto God the Father, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19.

Saving faith is faith that Jesus is the "King of Kings and the Lord of Lords" Revelation 19:16.

Saving faith is faith that Jesus Christ has victoriously defeated sin, death and the devil in our name and on our behalf, Colossians 2:15.

Saving faith is faith that God raised Jesus from the dead, Romans 10:9.

Saving faith is faith that believes Jesus has justified, sanctified and redeemed us unto God the Father, 1 Corinthians 1:30.

Saving faith is a faith that believes we are complete in Jesus Christ, Colossians 2:10.

Saving faith is a faith that believes we have ceased from our own works and have entered into his rest, Hebrews 4:10.

Saving faith is a faith that believes we are accepted only in Jesus Christ, Colossians 3:3.

Saving faith is nothing more than simple childlike faith in the work and the person of Jesus Christ. The Bible makes it very clear that because of the work and the person of Jesus Christ we are justified by faith alone. The reason that we are justified by faith alone is because we are justified by Christ alone. All of the work of salvation has already been done. There is nothing left for us to do, but to receive what God has already done for us in Jesus Christ.

Saving faith is the realization of reconciliation and union with God as His adopted children. It’s to recognize and make God our God again, returning from the exile away from Him instituted by our first parent, Adam, where God was disobeyed, dismissed as God with man becoming his own “god” for all practical purposes, now doing what’s right in his own eyes instead.

Man’s spiritual death and the reason he needs to be reborn is that very alienation from the Source of life. When we come to know and believe in the true God we awaken, we rise from the dead. That’s why Jesus came. He’s the only way to know God; He’s the only way to God.

“Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.” 1 Pet 1:12

 

[RobertPate]

Saving faith is the realization of reconciliation and union with God as His adopted children. It’s to recognize and make God our God again, returning from the exile away from Him instituted by our first parent, Adam, where God was disobeyed, dismissed as God with man becoming his own “god” for all practical purposes, now doing what’s right in his own eyes instead.

Man’s spiritual death and the reason he needs to be reborn is that very alienation from the Source of life. When we come to know and believe in the true God we awaken, we rise from the dead. That’s why Jesus came. He’s the only way to know God; He’s the only way to God.

“Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.” 1 Pet 1:12

What you have said is true.

We have ALREADY been reconciled unto God by Jesus Christ. We are ALREADY complete "In Christ". When God accepted Jesus back into heaven we were accepted in him. The only thing that is required of us is to accept what he has done for us and embrace it as our only means of salvation.

 

[GDL]

the Source of life

that we need to remain connected to.

 

[GDL]

embrace it as our only means of salvation

So, we do need to do something. Then, do we need to continue to embrace, or is a brief hug all that's required?

 

[RobertPate]

So, we do need to do something. Then, do we need to continue to embrace, or is a brief hug all that's required?

All that have come to Christ to be saved by him are sealed with the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 1:13. They will persevere to the end. If they don't, they never did believe in the first place.

 

[GDL]

All that have come to Christ to be saved by him are sealed with the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 1:13. They will persevere to the end. If they don't, they never did believe in the first place.

We've interacted re: "sealed" already. You didn't have much to tell me when I asked you to explain it, so I can't take your word that sealed means will persevere.

I do see your opinion that those who don't persevere never did believe. Does this mean all the warnings about things like falling away are just meant to keep believers persevering?