A Saving Faith

All Scripture references are to the New International

Version, British Edition of 1984.

Q. How is one ‘saved’ through faith’?

A. As defined in Scripture, faith is the quality of ‘being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see’ (Heb. 11:1). In secular terms it is a faculty common to all of humanity, and is usually regarded as belief or confidence in some future event or outcome.

However, it fills its highest and ‘saving’ role only when fastened on Jesus Christ, who has set forth by God for our contemplation. In this sense, most people do not have it.

God’s mercy planned and provided for man’s recovery from the effects of Adamic sin and death.

The foundation for such a salvation was laid down by Christ, who not only died but also rose from the state of death after his crucifixion. It is this his resurrection which stands as the universal guarantee that eternal life is fact, not fancy.

Through faith in Christ as Saviour and King we are justified, that is, counted as righteous, and thus exonerated from the condemnation of sin against us. The Apostle Paul makes the connection this way in 1 Cor. 15:17-19:

17 . . . if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.

19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.

Our response to God’s love and Christ’s death for us is exercised through faith and an ongoing effort to live a Christian life consistent with our faith, in which we endeavour to become more Christlike in thought, word and deed.

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