How would you describe saving faith vs just "faith"?

[zoidar]

How do you understand this?

 

[concretecamper]

Can we start with a bible definition? Is the phrase/term "saving faith" even used in scripture?

 

[zoidar]

Is the phrase/term "saving faith" used in scripture?

Not as far as i know. There is James 2 that says faith without works is dead. Wouldn't that be "just faith"?

 

[-Sasha-]

Would that be a living faith, which bears fruit, vs a faith that is dead?

 

[concretecamper]

Not as far as i know.

So you either have faith or not. Where is the need to distinguish between faith and saving faith.

 

[Tigger45]

I see mere faith as purely an intellectual belief in Christ but a saving faith is alive due to an intimate relationship with Christ which produces fruit of the spirit.

 

[concretecamper]

Not as far as i know. There is James 2 that says faith without works is dead. Wouldn't that be "just faith"?

No, James could have easily said what you want him to mean.

 

[zoidar]

No James could have easily said what you want him to mean.

I'm not sure I follow. Do you mean we can't really know what James meant?

 

[concretecamper]

I'm not sure I follow. Do you mean we can't really know what James meant?

James 2:18 clearly distinguishes between faith and works and dismantles the notion that works are NOT signs or marks of faith.

 

[zoidar]

James 2:18 clearly distinguishes between faith and works and dismantles the notion that works are signs or marks of faith.

How do we understand v.24 then?

"Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith."

 

[section9+1]

True repentance accompanies genuine faith. There is belief without repentance that avails nothing. I can sincerely believe that Mars has two moons. It's true. But it has no impact on my life or my behavior or my future. True faith will change who you are.

 

[concretecamper]

How do we understand v.24 then?

"Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith."

We need both. 2 distinct things.

 

[zoidar]

We need both. 2 distinct things.

So you mean I could basically have works without faith, or faith without works and be disqualified for heaven?

 

[concretecamper]

So you mean I could basically have works without faith

Could the greatest philanthropist of all time, who worships to moon be saved? I say no. We cannot work our way to heaven. If we could, the Cross was a huge waste of God's time.

 

[zoidar]

We cannot work our way to heaven.

Surely I agree with that.

 

[renniks]

How do you understand this?

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" Hebrews 11: 1.
There is a difference between merely believing something and submitting to something as truth, IMO. The demons believe Jesus is God. They don't submit to his authority or accept him as savior. Saving faith has an aspect of surrender to it. You can believe Jesus is God and not surrender your heart and soul to him.

 

[pdudgeon]

How do you understand this?

Actually it's easier than you think.
Picture this:
you are standing in front of Niagara Falls. In front of the falls is stretched a very long rope from edge to edge.

Also standing there is a man with a wheelbarrow, who offers to carry you across the rope bridge, if you will sit in his wheelbarrow.

Faith believes that he is capable of doing what he offered.
Saving faith sits in the wheel barrow.

 

[Jonaitis]

How do you understand this?

The Parable of the Sower.

 

[com7fy8]

Saving faith has an aspect of surrender to it. You can believe Jesus is God and not surrender your heart and soul to him.

Our Apostle Paul says "we" "first trusted in Christ", in Ephesians 1:12. So, faith includes trusting, I would say. And if we trust Jesus, I would say we obey Him.

About surrendering >

"Therefore submit to God," we have in James 4:7. Being personally submissive with God can be more than only surrendering. There can be submission which is trusting.

And we have been adopted; so becoming adopted has more than surrender in the process.

 

[redleghunter]

How do you understand this?

“The Just shall live by faith.”

And Jesus is the Just and Justifier.

Now what does that look like?

 

[redleghunter]

Can we start with a bible definition? Is the phrase/term "saving faith" even used in scripture?

It is demonstrated though.