0831. The Faith That Saves
The Faith That Saves
"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house" (Act_16:31).
The Scripture used is only one of many which proclaim salvation by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Some there are who seem to think that salvation comes very easy to a perishing sinner, if all he has to do is to believe. Therefore it becomes us to consider just what is involved by saving faith.
1. Faith is an acknowledgment of the sinner's need. They who are whole have no need of the physician, but they who are sick. Those who refuse to concede themselves sinners will certainly not confess Christ as a Saviour.
2. Faith is an acknowledgment of the Saviour's claims.
Christ says, "Come unto Me * * and I will give you rest." Faith says, "I am tired of sin, and I believe there is rest with Thee."
Christ says: "Whosoever drinketh of the Water that I shall give Him shall never thirst." Faith says, "I am thirsty and I believe that Thou hast the Living Water, that shall spring up within me unto everlasting life, and I drink."
Christ says: "He that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." Faith says, "I am dead in my sins, but I do believe and receive life now; if I die physically, I shall be raised and live again forever with the Lord."
Faith says a great big "yes" to everything Christ claims to be and to do.
2. Faith confides in Christ. Saving faith is the heart's affiance. With the heart man believeth. Faith is more than an acknowledgment, it is trust. Faith is more than intellectual assent to a series of facts, it is heartfelt allegiance to the One in Whom faith trusts.
"I looked to Jesus on the Cross,
For me I saw Him dying;
God's Word believed, that all my sins
Were there upon Him lying.
"I looked to Jesus there on high,
From death upraised to glory;
I trusted in His power to save,
Believed the old, old Story.
"Now one with Christ, I find my peace
In Him to be abiding,
And in His love for all my need,
In childlike faith confiding."
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR