What Is Saving Faith?
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Words matter.
Words matter.
Not only does what we say matter but how we use a word matters. Which word we use matters in every day life. We talked about this last week and some of us have been having a little fun with things.
Words can be complicated.
Words can be complicated.
Especially in the English language. The example of red and read. Or read and read. Or reed and read.
We want things “easy”.
We want things “easy”.
The idea, at least as much as I can understand it, behind diets and especially the “diet” fad is we want all the taste of the original but none of the “negatives”. Yet, sometimes it is the “alternative” we find out which is worse for us.
Everyone has faith.
Everyone has faith.
I want us to understand this. The question is not do you have faith? The question is: where do you place your faith?
The Bible does not contradict itself.
The Bible does not contradict itself.
I believe this to be 100% true, reliable, and comforting. As we come to the most famous passage of James we must realize there is no contradiction by what he says in these verses and what Paul says about faith, works, and salvation.
What is saving faith?
What is saving faith?
This is the question I am asking this morning. I think it is the question James is forcing us to try and answer. The big $1 word for this is “soteriology”.
What is the purpose of faith and salvation?
What is the purpose of faith and salvation?
This can be a helpful supplemental question to our previous.
Salvation is in Christ alone, by grace alone, by faith alone.
Salvation is in Christ alone, by grace alone, by faith alone.
Let me be clear this is the message and the hope of Scripture.
for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
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.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
James would say, “Amen”!!!
James would say, “Amen”!!!
James is not against any of these verses and would wholeheartedly agree with what Paul writes on salvation and the nature of “grace based Gospel”.
Saving faith is not just “right” thinking.
Saving faith is not just “right” thinking.
We can know all the right things about Jesus, Bible and Church and not be saved. Acts 8 shows us an early follower who believed and was baptized but his faith was not “working” right.
The demons have all the “right” believe on who God and Jesus is. Throughout the Gospels we read they are the “first” to proclaim Jesus as Messiah but their “works” showed they did not have a saving faith.
Saving faith results in Christ like behavior.
Saving faith results in Christ like behavior.
This is what James is concerned about. This is what Paul is concerned about.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
Faith is active.
Faith is active.
Obedience. Repentance. Faithfulness. Love. Joy. Peace. These are all thigns we do not just what we think.
Salvation is free but costly.
Salvation is free but costly.
Anyone and everyone can have it. But it will require you to change. Salvation that “works” never leaves us the same. Salvation that “works” will produce good works as a response to the grace and faith in Jesus.