Faith That Saves

Introduction

Like “grace” the word “faith” has been piled on with layers of commentary over the centuries.

Also, like grace, if we are not careful, we end up accepting what has come to be the common modern usage of that word and it puts us in a real bind when we are trying to reconcile some of the discussions of faith in scripture.

We want to scrape off those layers of perception and see and hear this word in the way it would have been seen and heard by 1st century eyes and ears.

I think it is very possible to do this and I think the result relieves much of the tension we often feel when discussing the concept of faith.

Faith not Works

There are numerous clear statements about the connection between faith and salvation (Eph. 2:8; Mk. 16:16; Heb. 11:6).

In stories of conversion, it is part of the climax of the story (Acts 8:36-38; 16:31).

Additionally, it is contrasted with salvation by works (Rom. 3:28; 4:1-5; Gal. 2:16; 3:2).

Justified by Works

But there are also explicit statements about the connection between salvation and works (Jas. 2:24).

Even in the same contexts as Paul says NOT works (Rom. 2:6-7).

Good works are spoken of in terms of accounting (1 Tim. 6:18-19).

Consider the mention of works throughout Revelation 2 and 3.

Works form the foundations of God’s judgment (1 Pet. 1:17; 2 Cor. 5:10).

What is Faith?

Definitions of faith:

confidence or trust in a person or thing:faith in another's ability.

belief that is not based on proof:He had faith that the hypothesis would be substantiated by fact.

belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion:the firm faith of the Pilgrims.

belief in anything, as a code of ethics, standards of merit, etc.:to be of the same faith with someone concerning honesty.

a system of religious belief:the Christian faith; the Jewish faith.

the obligation of loyalty or fidelity to a person, promise, engagement, etc.:Failure to appear would be breaking faith.

What faith is not:

Not mere belief in facts (Jas. 2:19).

Not a blind leap (Matt. 4:6).

It is not the opposite of works (Jas. 2:15-16).

It isn’t empty optimism (Rom. 8:28).

God has faith (Rom. 3:1-3; 1 Cor. 1:9; 10:13; 2 Cor. 1:18; 1 Thess. 5:24; 2 Thess. 3:3; 2 Tim. 2:13; Heb. 10:23; 1 Pet. 4:19; 1 Jn. 1:9).

This same word is most often translated believer when applied to men (Acts 10:45; 16:1; 2 Cor. 6:15; 1 Tim. 5:16).

It is also used of Jesus (Rev. 1:5; 3:14; 19:11).

Likewise, it is used of words (Rev. 21:5; 22:6; Tit. 3:8; 2Tim. 2:11; 1 Tim. 4:9; 1:15).

The Septuagint is instructive in its usage of this word.

It is used to describe a position of trust (1 Chron. 9:22, 26).

It is used to describe a responsibility (1 Chron. 9:31).

Faith describes what is true (Prov. 3:3; 12:17, 22; 14:22; Jer. 5:1, 3; 7:28; 9:23; 15:18; 40:6).

Add to all of this the common usage of the term in contemporary literature:

1 Maccabees 10:25–28 NRSV

So he sent a message to them in the following words: “King Demetrius to the nation of the Jews, greetings. Since you have kept your agreement with us and have continued your friendship with us, and have not sided with our enemies, we have heard of it and rejoiced. Now continue still to keep faith with us, and we will repay you with good for what you do for us. We will grant you many immunities and give you gifts.

3 Maccabees 3:2–4 NRSV

While these matters were being arranged, a hostile rumor was circulated against the Jewish nation by some who conspired to do them ill, a pretext being given by a report that they hindered others from the observance of their customs. The Jews, however, continued to maintain goodwill and unswerving loyalty toward the dynasty; but because they worshiped God and conducted themselves by his law, they kept their separateness with respect to foods. For this reason they appeared hateful to some;

Salvation by Allegiance Alone: Rethinking Faith, Works, and the Gospel of Jesus the King Allegiance in the New Testament Era

In a letter, King Ptolemy speaks of Jews installed in positions requiring pistis in the royal court (Ant. 12.47); King Antiochus praises the pistis of the Jews for their allegiance to him during a time of revolt (Ant. 12.147); pistis and the related verb pisteuō are used with reference to matters of sworn allegiance, loyal commitment, and treason in battle (Ant. 12.396); Antipater is described as having initially shown pistis to Hyrcanus as the one with the claim to the Hasmonean throne, even though he would ultimately seek to use Hyrcanus to gain more for himself (J. W. 1.207);

Salvation by Allegiance Alone: Rethinking Faith, Works, and the Gospel of Jesus the King A Proposed Surgery

Our own cultural experiences might lead us to think that “repent” means to turn away from private sins such as adultery, greed, and exploitation. Meanwhile, in Christian circles “believe” is so often linked to Jesus and the forgiveness of sins that it may be hard to weigh what it means in this example featuring Josephus. But Wright’s point is that Josephus was not trying to convince this rebel to turn away from private sins or to “believe” that God can forgive, rather Josephus wanted this man to join him in supporting the Jewish cause—that is, as I would put it, to show allegiance. So, what “repent and believe in me” means for Josephus in this context is “turn away from your present course of action and become loyal to me.”

Faithful to Whom?

Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16).

His role as ruler is the climax of the gospel (Acts 2:36; Phil. 2:9-10).

This is the language of the preaching of Jesus (Matt. 4:17; Lk. 4:43; Mk. 1:14-15).

And so we offer faith (loyalty, trust, obedience, allegiance) to our King (Matt. 8:5-13).

Saved by Allegiance

This helps us see the reciprocal relationship of His faith and ours (Rom. 3:21-26; 1:17).

It reconciles the relationship of faith and the law (Rom. 3:27-31).

Do you see rules to be followed or a King to follow?

Are you loyal to the rule or the rule giver?

It helps us see the distinction of works that save and works that don’t (Eph. 2:8; Gal. 2:16).

You can perform works without devotion or allegiance (but not consistently).

You cannot be devoted and not perform works.

Think of how this affects our confession of “faith” (Rom. 10:8-13, 17).

Consider the increased impact on well known passages (Gal. 2:20; Rom. 14:23; 1 Cor. 16:13; 1 Thess. 1:8; 1 Tim. 5:8; 2 Tim. 4:7).

Conclusion

Where is your allegiance? What are you loyal to? What do you proclaim your faith in, in word and deed?

He is Lord, He is King. He is faithful to you. Will you be faithful to Him?