SAVING FAITH

 

"For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8 AMP)

When you believe in Christ, you receive new life as one who is born of God; and you will desire to do God’s will or obey God’s word and be pleasing to your Father.

You won’t perfectly obey from day one but you will progressively obey, “perfecting holiness in the fear of the LORD”, as you become spiritually stronger and mature by constantly feeding on God’s word and praying, that is, fellowshipping with God and building deeper spiritual roots in quality personal devotion and in corporate fellowship with the Body of Christ, thus "growing in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ". 

True faith produces the ongoing and ever-increasing fruits of repentance and righteousness in our daily walk of holy conduct or godly lifestyle and faithful service, which is what it essentially means to have “good works” (God-powered and God-pleasing conduct and service). 

A profession of Christian faith is authentic only if there is a preceding or prior possession of sincere saving faith. 

Every profession of, or claim to, Christian faith will be tried, as gold is tested and purified by fire, to ascertain its genuineness and to purge it of impurities of different kinds. 

The genuineness of faith, when it is tested by fiery trials, will produce patience, perseverance or endurance.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:3-9, NASB)

Surely, true saving faith “will endure till the end.”

Faith is born of, and based on, the incorruptible seed of God’s Infallible and Ever-living Word. 

It is born of God's Spirit and Truth. It is the basis of true spiritual worship, which is the reverential fear, adoration, devotion and obedience to The LORD.

The possession of faith is marked by deep desire for, desperate pursuit of, and loving obedience to God’s Word. It thus progresses into holiness and the fruit of righteousness, godliness and truth. 

Faith knows and lives the truth. 

Faith works or operates by love.

Faith without works is no faith.

To reiterate: Any profession of saving faith without desire for and obedience to God's Word, or without Christian love and righteous walk is not true faith. 

True profession is rooted in the true possession. 

Faith that is so called but devoid of godly walk and good works, which are the fruit or evidence of genuine faith, is not real faith. It is dead or lifeless. It needs Life from God's Spirit by The Gospel of Christ.

Yes, it all begins with this: truly receiving Christ’s Life in the seed of God’s Word (Truth) that births “saving faith” and thus “new life”, a new heart by the Spirit of God; that means being “born of God” or "born again".

This comes by the True Gospel.

Footnote: Blessed are they who do not presume that they are saved but examine themselves, seek The Truth and call upon The LORD to save them!