Gaining Saving Faith: Steps To Take

how do I get saving faith

Saving faith is a matter of life and death, and eternal life and death. It is a gift from God and is available to all. Saving faith is a conviction wrought by the Holy Spirit regarding the truth of the gospel and a trust in the promises of God in Christ. It is a firm conviction and trust in the person and work of Christ. It is not enough to believe that Jesus exists and that he made certain claims. Saving faith is a decision to trust in Christ alone for one's salvation and to obey his commands. It is a belief that Jesus is Lord, that he died for our sins, and that he rose again. It is a surrender to and change by the truth of the gospel.

Characteristics Values
Deep, passionate belief "Jesus is Lord"
Trust "Jesus died for our sins"
Obedience "Jesus is our saviour"
Surrender "We are sinners"
Open confession of sin "We need to repent"
Sanctification "Becoming holy"
Love for other Christians "Fellowship with Christ"

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Believe in the essential facts concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ

Saving faith is a matter of life and death. Eternal life and death. Saving faith is a conviction wrought by the Holy Spirit regarding the truth of the gospel and a trust in the promises of God in Christ. Saving faith is not just knowing the truth. It is a firm conviction and trust in the person and work of Christ.

The Bible is replete with references to faith. Hebrews 11 stands out as the great “Hall of Faith,” where the author highlights the many Old Testament saints who placed their faith in the promise of the gospel. But what exactly is faith? And why do theologians add the adjective saving? In other words, what is saving faith?

The simplest and most basic definition of faith comes from the book of Hebrews: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (11:1). The author of Hebrews gives a functional description of faith; in this case, faith is believing in what cannot be seen, such as God, or as the author points out, God’s creation of the world out of nothing (Heb. 11:3). We take creation out of nothing (creatio ex nihilo) on faith since we cannot return to the beginning personally to observe God’s act. But when we relate the doctrine of faith to salvation, the definition becomes more specific.

Saving faith is a conviction wrought by the Holy Spirit regarding the truth of the gospel and a trust in the promises of God in Christ (for this definition, see Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology: New Combined Edition, 503). Given this definition, what are the parts of saving faith? What other kinds of faith does the Bible speak of? And how does saving faith relate specifically to the doctrine of salvation?

The church’s historic understanding of saving faith contains three elements: the facts (notitia), comprehension of the facts (assensus), and trust in the facts (fiducia). In order for someone to believe in and trust in the saving work of Jesus, a person must first know the facts. She must know that Jesus existed as a real, live, historical person. Jesus is not a myth or fairy tale. But a bare knowledge of the facts does not constitute saving faith. A person must know the basic facts and comprehend them. In other words, knowing that Jesus lived is not enough; one must understand what Jesus did in his life. He claimed to be God in the flesh (John 8:58), God’s son and equal to him (John 5:18), and the only way to be saved: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). But it is not enough to believe that Jesus exists and that he made these claims. The sinner must place her trust in Christ’s claims—she must believe that Jesus is the incarnate son of God and that he came to save sinners through his life, death, and resurrection (Rom. 1:16–17; 10:9–10).

We can illustrate the relationship between the elements of saving faith in the following manner. I can go to the airport and recognize the fact that there is an airplane in front of me. I can acknowledge the fact that the airplane and its pilot can hurtle down the runway and leap into the air for sustained flight. I can study the principles of aeronautics and comprehend that when air rushes over a curved surface it creates lift, which thus enables the airplane to fly. But I must trust the airplane and its pilot, board the aircraft, take my seat, and ride the airplane in order to demonstrate my faith in it. A bare knowledge of Christ and his claims is insufficient for salvation. We must trust that he is the only way to be saved from our sin and the only one who can give eternal life.

Saving faith is thus a firm conviction and trust in the person and work of Christ, but the Bible does speak of other types of faith. Theologians have discussed historical faith, which is a bare intellectual grasp of the claims of Scripture barren of the work of the Spirit. The Scriptures also speak of temporary faith, which is when a person temporarily “believes” in the gospel but later falls away. Christ’s parable of the sower captures this type of faith. The sower cast seed on rocky soil, quickly sprouted, but then died for lack of a root (Matt. 13:5–6). Christ explains that this portion of the parable corresponds to the one who “hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away” (Matt. 13:20–21). A third type of faith is the faith of demons; this category is similar to historical faith. James writes: “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder” (James 2:19)! In other words, demons know the facts—God exists and is sovereign over all, including their own demonic realm. Demons comprehend these facts, and the comprehension of this knowledge creates fear in them. But they refuse to believe and trust in God, and they are incapable of doing so apart from a sovereign work of God’s Spirit. All three types of faith (historical, temporary, and demons) stand in stark contrast to saving faith. The adjective saving denotes that this type of faith is a sovereign work of God’s Spirit that secures a sinner’s salvation.

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Trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone for salvation

Trusting in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone for salvation is a fundamental tenet of Christianity. This means believing that Jesus is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, and that He died for our sins, rose from the dead, and is the only way to salvation (John 14:6, Acts 4:12).

To trust in Jesus as the saviour, one must first recognise and accept these facts about Him. This involves knowing that Jesus is God made flesh (John 1:14) and that He died for our sins and rose again (1 Peter 3:18). It is also crucial to understand that salvation is exclusive to Jesus Christ. No other person or work could have achieved what He did (1 Timothy 2:6).

Beyond intellectual comprehension, trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation involves a personal surrender and commitment. This means acknowledging oneself as a sinner, repenting, and accepting Jesus as one's saviour. This personal encounter with Christ can happen anywhere and is a pivotal moment in one's spiritual journey.

After receiving salvation, a believer's life should reflect this change. This is a process called sanctification, where one gradually becomes more Christ-like. It involves obedience to God's Word and a lifestyle that demonstrates love for God and other Christians.

In summary, trusting in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone for salvation entails both a firm conviction about who He is and what He has done, as well as a personal surrender and commitment to follow Him.

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Have a strong conviction of the truth of the gospel

Saving faith is a matter of life and death, and knowing what it is and how it is available to us is of utmost importance. Saving faith is not just knowing the truth, but also surrendering to it and being changed by it.

To develop a strong conviction of the truth of the gospel, one must first know the facts. Jesus existed as a real, live, historical person. He was God incarnate, came to Earth, and led a perfectly sinless life. He died on the cross, accepting the punishment of death instead of us, and after three days, He arose from the dead. After 40 days, He ascended to heaven.

It is not enough to have a bare knowledge of these facts. One must also comprehend them. Jesus claimed to be God in the flesh, God's son and equal to Him, and the only way to be saved.

A strong conviction of the truth of the gospel is a firm belief and trust in these facts and claims. It is more than just an intellectual understanding; it is a deep, personal conviction that leads to a change in one's lifestyle and actions.

This conviction is not based on emotion but on a diligent study of God's Word, the Bible. By spending time in God's Word and getting to know the truth, one can develop a strong conviction and begin to see a change in their life. Obedience to God's Word and a desire to follow His commands are signs of a genuine saving faith.

Additionally, as one's conviction grows, they will begin to see a decreasing pattern of sin in their life. They will love God rather than the world and will be characterized by "doing what is right." Their conviction will lead to open confession of sin and a desire to obey Christ's commands.

In summary, having a strong conviction of the truth of the gospel involves knowing and understanding the facts about Jesus Christ and His work, and trusting in Him alone for salvation. This conviction will lead to a change in one's life, marked by obedience to God and a decreasing pattern of sin.

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Admit and confess your sin

Admitting and confessing your sin is an important part of the Christian faith. It is a process of acknowledging your wrongdoing and seeking forgiveness from God. This act of contrition is a demonstration of your trust in God's mercy and grace, and it is a crucial step in your spiritual journey towards salvation.

When you admit and confess your sins, you are being honest with yourself, God, and others about your faults and failures. This honesty is essential because it helps you recognize your need for a saviour. In Christianity, the saviour is Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. By confessing your sins, you are acknowledging your need for His sacrifice and redemption.

Confessing your sins can be done through prayer, either privately or corporately. In 1 John 1:9, the Bible assures us, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This confession is not just an empty ritual but a sincere expression of remorse and a desire to turn away from sin. It is a recognition that you have fallen short of God's perfect standard and that you need His grace to be made right again.

Additionally, confessing your sins to a trusted Christian friend or spiritual leader can provide accountability and support. James 5:16 encourages believers to "confess your sins to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed." Sharing your struggles with a fellow believer can bring healing and restoration as you journey together towards spiritual maturity.

Admitting and confessing your sins is not just a one-time event but a continuous practice throughout your Christian walk. It is a sign of your humility and dependence on God's grace. As you confess your sins, you are also reminded of God's faithfulness and forgiveness, which strengthens your relationship with Him.

Confession also plays a role in maintaining a clear conscience and a pure life. When you confess your sins, you are bringing them into the light, where they can be dealt with and overcome. This act of confession helps you to resist temptation and live a life that honours God.

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Obey God's word

Saving faith is a matter of life and death, and it is important to understand what it means to have it. Saving faith is not just about believing in God, but also about obeying God's word and being obedient to Christ's commands. It is about trusting in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone for salvation.

Obeying God's word is an important aspect of saving faith. This includes being obedient to Christ's commands and following what Jesus has said. It is about more than just knowing the facts about Jesus and his life, death, and resurrection. It is about trusting that he is the only way to salvation and eternal life.

Obedience to God's word also means confessing your sins and seeking forgiveness. It is about walking in the light and not in darkness, and it is about loving God rather than the world. It is also about doing what is right and maintaining a pure life.

Saving faith is also about having a deep, passionate belief in the essential facts concerning Jesus Christ. It is about trusting in his promises and his leading. This type of faith is a gift from God and cannot be achieved through our own works or efforts. It is only through grace that we can be saved through faith.

Obeying God's word and having saving faith go hand in hand. It is about more than just knowing and believing; it is about trusting, surrendering, and being obedient. It is a lifelong process of sanctification, becoming holy, and looking more and more like Christ.

Frequently asked questions

Saving faith is a matter of life and death. Eternal life and death. It is a conviction wrought by the Holy Spirit regarding the truth of the gospel and a trust in the promises of God in Christ. It is not enough to believe that Jesus exists and that he made certain claims. One must place their trust in Christ's claims and believe that Jesus is the incarnate son of God and that he came to save sinners through his life, death, and resurrection.

The Bible encourages us to examine ourselves to see if we are truly "in the faith" (2 Corinthians 13:5). There is a series of tests in 1 John that we can use to examine ourselves and our faith. Some of the questions to ask yourself are: Do you enjoy having fellowship with Christ and His redeemed people? Would people say you walk in the light, or walk in the darkness? Do you admit and confess your sin? Are you obedient to God’s Word? Does your life indicate you love God rather than the world?

Faith is often used to express that we believe something to be true. Many people have "faith," meaning that they believe that something outside of themselves exists, whether it is a god, an outcome that they expect, a path for their life, etc. However, this type of faith is not what God calls us to have in Him. He wants us to have saving faith. Saving faith is when we fully trust that Jesus died for our sins and rest in His promises to us.

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