Understanding Salvation: Faith And Its Meaning

Being saved by faith is a central tenet of Christianity, but what does it mean? According to Ephesians 2:8-9, people are saved by grace through faith, and this is a gift from God. Salvation is God's righteousness at work in us when we say yes to His plan. It is not a formula to follow but a miracle to believe and receive. It is not something that can be earned but is freely given by God. Saving faith is more than just belief; it includes deep, passionate belief in the essential facts concerning the person and work of Jesus Christ, trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, and obedience to the commands of Jesus.

Salvation is God's righteousness at work in us

Salvation is not a formula to follow but a miracle to believe and receive. It is an amazing miracle that unfolds in our lives. It is not just about going to heaven when we die but is so much more. Salvation is about being restored to oneness with God, which brings wholeness and transformation through the power of Christ's love.

Salvation is God's grace at work in us. Grace is God's blessings on the undeserving. It is an undeserved gift for sinners. God's grace provided what we lacked: righteousness. This righteousness is what gives the Holy Spirit the ability to dwell in us and bring about the transformation of salvation. This righteousness is a gift because of God's grace and love.

Salvation is activated by God, who knit us together in the womb and has chosen us. It is a gift from God, not something we can earn or work towards. It is all God's idea and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it.

Salvation is a gift from God that brings us safety and rescue from danger and destruction. It is God's omnipotent plan for our lives, purposed to bring glory to His name through Christ Jesus.

Faith is a gift from God

The Bible makes it clear that faith is not something that humans can conjure up by themselves. Instead, it is a gift from God, granted to those He chooses to save. Ephesians 2:8–9 states:

> "By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."

This means that our response to salvation is faith, but even this faith is a gift from God. It is not something that we can achieve through our own power or resources. If it were, we could boast about our salvation, but as it is, salvation is entirely due to God's grace.

The idea that faith is a gift from God is further supported by other Bible passages. For example, Philippians 1:29 says, "To you it has been granted for Christ’s sake... to believe in Him." And Acts 3:16 speaks of "the faith which comes through Him."

The doctrine of faith as a gift from God is also evident in the story of Jesus and Peter. When Peter affirmed his faith in Christ as the Son of God, Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 16:17).

Faith, as a gift from God, is enduring and unchanging. It is not transient or impotent but is guaranteed to endure until the end. This is because it is a divine gift, not a human act.

The understanding of faith as a gift from God has been a consistent interpretation throughout church history, supported by eminent scholars and theologians, including Augustine, Erasmus, and Grotius.

In conclusion, faith is a gift from God, and it is through this faith that we are saved. This teaching is central to Christianity and underscores the importance of God's grace in the salvation of sinners.

Faith is more than belief

Faith is often used interchangeably with belief, but in the context of salvation, the Bible makes a clear distinction between the two. While belief is part of what it means to have faith, faith encompasses more than just intellectual assent to a set of facts or doctrines. Saving faith, as described in the Bible, involves a deep, passionate belief in the essential facts concerning Jesus Christ, including his lordship, death, and resurrection. However, it doesn't end there.

Trust

Faith also includes the concept of trust. Trust implies a personal commitment and application. It involves placing one's hope and confidence in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, rather than in one's own works or efforts. This trust is a decision to rely on Christ's finished work on the cross for redemption and forgiveness of sins. It is this trust that distinguishes genuine faith from mere intellectual assent or belief.

Obedience

Saving faith also leads to obedience. According to the Bible, particularly the book of James, faith without works is dead. A living faith will result in a changed life and good works. Obedience to Jesus' commands is an outward demonstration of genuine faith and a sign of a transformed heart. This obedience is not a means to earn salvation but is a natural response to God's grace and a testament to the reality of one's salvation.

A gift from God

Faith, ultimately, is a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." Salvation is not something that can be earned or achieved through human effort. It is a work of God's grace, received through faith. This faith is not a result of human merit but is a gift given by God to those He has chosen.

In conclusion, while belief is a component of faith, faith encompasses a deeper trust, reliance, and obedience that goes beyond mere intellectual assent. It is a gift from God, enabling believers to place their hope in Christ alone for salvation and resulting in a transformed life characterized by good works and obedience to God's commands.

Faith without works is dead

The Bible states that "faith without works is dead" (James 2:26). This means that faith must be accompanied by actions that demonstrate and perfect that faith.

Faith is more than just belief; it includes trust and obedience. Trust implies a personal commitment to Jesus Christ and his work, and obedience refers to following the commands of Jesus.

Saying yes to God's plan and receiving salvation through grace are demonstrations of faith. This salvation is a miracle that unfolds in our lives, restoring our oneness with God and transforming us from the inside out.

However, faith without works is incomplete. The book of James provides examples of how faith and works are interconnected and complementary. Abraham, for instance, demonstrated his faith by offering his son Isaac as a sacrifice, an act of obedience to God's command. Similarly, Rahab, a harlot, was justified by her works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way.

In essence, "faith without works is dead" emphasizes that true faith will result in actions that reflect and complete our faith. It is not enough to merely believe or have knowledge; we must also act on that faith through obedience and trust in God.

Faith produces good works

The Bible teaches that salvation is received not on the basis of works but on the basis of faith in God alone. This is supported by Jesus's teachings and parables, and Paul's arguments against the inclusion of works in the basis of our salvation. However, this does not mean that faith and works are mutually exclusive.

James, in his epistle, argues that justification is by works "and not by faith alone". However, this can be harmonized with the rest of the New Testament when we realize that James still expects believers to sin. He is combatting faith without works, not faith alone as the basis for salvation.

The good works performed by believers are not the basis of salvation but should be understood as the necessary evidence of that salvation. Such works are the fruit and product of our new life in Jesus Christ. We know that our faith is genuine if it is accompanied by good works. As James writes: "You say you have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works" (James 2:18).

Our works after salvation justify us and demonstrate that our belief in God is genuine. This is seen in the example of Abraham, who was willing to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice to God. Abraham's faith was made perfect and justified by his works (James 2:22). Similarly, Rahab, a harlot, was justified by her works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way (James 2:25).

True faith always produces good works, but good works are not always the result of true faith. We can know that our works flow from true faith if we perform them, not to earn our salvation, but in gratitude for a redemption already accomplished. 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.

In conclusion, while we are saved by faith alone, this faith necessarily flowers into good works. These good works are the outward demonstration of our inward faith and are the necessary evidence of our salvation.

Frequently asked questions