True Saving Faith: How Can I Know?

Saving faith is a topic that many Christians grapple with, and it is understandable to question whether one has true faith. The Bible encourages believers to examine themselves to ascertain if they are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). While good deeds, morality, and church attendance are commendable, they do not equate to genuine saving faith. True saving faith is rooted in the recognition of one's unworthiness before a Holy God, confession and repentance of sins, and a conscious decision to follow God daily. This faith is a gift from God, granted through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, and it manifests in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Do you enjoy fellowship with Christ and other Christians?

Fellowship with Christ and other Christians is a key indicator of saving faith. This is not a casual relationship, but an intentional effort to connect and grow in relationship with the Lord. It is a desire to walk in holiness and to honour God.

Fellowship with Christ and other Christians is a two-fold concept. Firstly, it involves a personal, fulfilling journey with Jesus Christ. This is a conscious decision to follow Christ and live for God each day. It is a recognition of Jesus as the "bread of life" and the "possessor of living water" (John 6:35, John 4:10). It is a deep, personal relationship with Christ, where an individual actively seeks to know Him more and to spend time with Him through prayer and the study of His word. This is a critical aspect of saving faith, as it demonstrates a commitment to Christ and a willingness to follow Him.

Secondly, fellowship with other Christians is also a vital part of the Christian walk. This involves demonstrating love and compassion towards other believers. It is a reflection of our relationship with Christ in the way we treat others. The apostle John writes, "We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death" (1 John 3:14). This love for fellow Christians is a natural outflow of our love for God and is a key indicator of saving faith.

Fellowship with Christ and His people is a joy-filled experience. It is a relationship that brings purpose, hope, and fulfilment. As we walk with Christ and His people, we are transformed and conformed to His image. This is a lifelong journey of growth and maturity in our faith.

In summary, fellowship with Christ and other Christians is a vital aspect of saving faith. It involves a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and a loving, compassionate attitude towards other believers. It is a journey of growth, transformation, and fulfilment. If we can truthfully say that we enjoy this fellowship, it is a strong indicator that we have saving faith.

Do you walk in the light?

Walking in the light is a key characteristic of genuine saving faith. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). Walking in the light means living a life that is characterised by holiness and obedience to God's commandments. It is a conscious decision to follow Jesus and live for Him each day.

Walking in the light involves a pursuit of holiness and a commitment to obeying God's Word. This does not mean that those with genuine saving faith will never sin again. Instead, it is a daily effort to confess and repent of sin, turning away from it and towards God. Walking in the light also means being set apart from the world and not loving the things of the world more than God. It is a recognition that God must be first in our lives and that our love for Him should be evident in the way we treat others.

Walking in the light is also about shining the light of Jesus for all to see. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells his followers, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16). Those who walk in the light do not hide their faith but let it shine through their words and actions, reflecting Christ to the world.

Walking in the light is a key indicator of genuine saving faith. It is a daily pursuit of holiness and obedience, a turning away from sin, and a shining of the light of Jesus to the world. It is a conscious decision to follow Jesus and live for Him, putting Him first in our lives and loving others as He has loved us.

Do you confess your sins?

Confessing your sins is a crucial aspect of genuine saving faith. 1 John 1:8 states, "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." Denying our sins is deceiving ourselves, and such behaviour is not indicative of true saving faith.

Those with true faith regularly confront and confess their sins, knowing that God is the judge, and only He can provide the grace we need. This confession of sin is an open and honest admission of our shortcomings and failures. It is not something to be hidden or ignored.

The act of confessing our sins is also tied to our pursuit of holiness. By acknowledging our sins, we position ourselves to receive God's grace and be continually cleansed from sin as we strive for holiness. This is a lifelong journey, and while we may not always achieve perfection, our consistent trend should be one of growth and improvement.

Confessing our sins is a vital step in our relationship with God and our pursuit of genuine saving faith. It demonstrates our recognition of our need for His grace and our willingness to turn from our sins and follow Him.

Do you obey God's commandments?

Obedience to God's commandments is a central tenet of Christianity and a defining feature of saving faith. The apostle John writes, "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments" (1 John 2:3). This obedience is not a matter of perfection but of persistence. We strive to obey God's Word, and when we fall short, we confess our sins and seek to grow in holiness.

The Bible provides clear guidance on what it means to obey God's commandments. Here are some key aspects:

• Fellowship with Jesus: Fellowship with Jesus implies salvation and genuine faith (1 John 1:3). It is not a casual relationship but an intentional effort to connect and grow closer to Him, resulting in fullness of joy (1 John 1:4).
• Walking in the Light: Walking in the light means following Jesus, who is the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16). We are called to shine our light for others to see, not hide it. Walking in the light brings fellowship with God and others, and He promises to continually cleanse us from sin (1 John 1:6-7).
• Confession of Sin: Those with true faith regularly confront and confess their sins (1 John 1:8-9). They do not deny their sins but acknowledge their need for God's grace and forgiveness.
• Set Apart from the World: Genuine faith is reflected in a life that is set apart from the world and its values (1 John 2:15). We are called to love God first and foremost, and our love for the world should not replace our love for Him.
• Practicing Righteousness: Righteous living is a natural outcome of genuine faith (1 John 2:29). It is a daily pursuit of holiness and purity, conforming to the image of Christ through obedience to God's Word.
• Love for Others: Jesus embodied perfect love, and we are called to love others as He loved us (1 John 3:16). Our love should be deliberate and sincere, demonstrated through actions, not just words (1 John 3:18-19).

It is important to remember that our obedience to God's commandments is not the basis of our salvation but a response to it. We are saved by grace through faith in Christ, and our obedience is an expression of our gratitude and love for Him. As we grow in our faith, our desire to obey God's commandments should also increase.

Do you love God more than the world?

Loving God more than the world is a key indicator of saving faith. In 1 John 2:15, the apostle John writes, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." This means that if we truly have saving faith, our love for God will always come first, and we will be willing to obey His commandments and live according to His will.

The Bible makes it clear that we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). We cannot love God and the world equally; there must be a clear distinction. The things of the world can be enticing and appealing, but they are temporary and cannot satisfy us in the same way that God can. As Christians, our priority should be to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). This means that our love for God should be evident in how we live our lives, the decisions we make, and the priorities we set.

Loving God more than the world also means being set apart and different from the world. In 2 Corinthians 6:17, God calls us to be "separate from unbelievers" and to "touch no unclean thing." This doesn't mean that we should isolate ourselves from the world, but rather that we should be distinct in our values, beliefs, and actions. Our lives should reflect Christ-like characteristics such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

True saving faith will always result in a changed life. When we truly love God, our desires and priorities will align with His will for our lives. We will seek to please Him and bring glory to His name, rather than pursuing the temporary pleasures of the world. This doesn't mean that we will be perfect or that we will never struggle with sin, but it does mean that there will be a consistent trend of growth and transformation.

Additionally, loving God more than the world also involves loving others. In 1 John 4:20, John writes, "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen." As Christians, we are called to love one another and to demonstrate that love through our actions (1 John 3:18-19). This is how others will know that we are followers of Christ (John 13:35).

In conclusion, loving God more than the world is a crucial aspect of saving faith. It involves putting God first, being set apart from the world, and demonstrating our love through obedience to His commandments and through loving others. By doing so, we can be assured of our salvation and the hope of eternity with Him.

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