THURSDAY May 25, 2023
What is Saving Faith?
But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying: “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air.”
Acts 11:4-6
Jews who were saved believed that the Gospel, including the gift of the Holy Spirit, was excusive only to them, but that was not right. Salvation was inclusive––it was for everyone. Peter explained what God had shown him to the Christian Jews who were still holding on to the Law of Moses. They had become legalist and were still bound by the Law. Those held traditions caused many problems in the early Church.
These Jewish believers had not come to a place where they fully trusted in the grace of God for salvation. The Law cannot save anyone. It is a schoolmaster––a tutor to bring a person to the knowledge of their sinfulness and their need for Jesus Christ. The Law helps prepare
...the soul for Christ, because those who have learned by experience with the law that they are not and cannot be commended to God by their works, welcome the more eagerly the hope of salvation offered them through the death and resurrection of Christ, the Son of God (THAYER'S GREEK LEXICON).
Millions of people trust in world religions that teach works to gain salvation, when the Bible is crystal clear. There is no possible way for anyone to reach God through works. There is no other way of salvation apart from Christ––the Mediator between man and God (1Timothy 2:5-6).
Eternal life is not attainable apart from faith in Jesus Christ. It is the Person and work of Jesus Christ on the Cross that has saved us––period! It is not through works. The Apostle James explains that true faith brings forth true works: ...faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. ...someone will 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 2:17, 18). Are you placing your faith for salvation solely on Jesus Christ?
Saving faith is resting faith, the trust which relies entirely on the Savior.
~John R.W. Stott~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
