WHAT IS SAVING FAITH?

Salvation is the work of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in one's heart. The Apostle Paul wrote, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Rom. 10:17). We hear the Gospel that Jesus died for our sin, that He was buried, and that He rose from the grave as the Old Testament said He would (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Dan. 9:26; Ps. 16:10; Lk. 24:25-27). We hear and are drawn to the resurrected Jesus by the Father (Jn. 6:44). We hear when the Holy Spirit convicts us of our need of a Savior, and convinces us that Jesus is The Savior (Jn. 14:6; 16:7-15).

So, is faith the same thing as "hearing?" No! The disciples experienced three years in the presence of the Son of God, and when Jesus was arrested, they all scattered in fear (Mk. 14:15). Even after He was resurrected, Thomas still could not believe in Him unless he placed his finger into Christ's wounds (Jn. 20:25). Jesus had clearly taught them He would be crucified and raised (Matt. 16:21-23). He had taught in parables so that His disciples could understand, but those who would not place their trust in Him, would not (Matt. 13:11-12). Even the disciples, having heard His preaching, did not really hear (understand) until after the Holy Spirit fell upon the Gentiles who believed in Christ (Acts 11:15-16). In fact, their understanding that the Church was a new work of God, and not an extension of the Mosaic Law, did not become clear until the debate in Acts 15:1-29.

True faith comes from the sort of hearing which changes one's understanding of who Jesus is. It is the result of the Holy Spirit showing us that He is the Father's gift to us (Jn. 3:16). It is the result of the Holy Spirit showing us that we are sinners, doomed to spend eternity in hell, unless we accept God's gift (Rom. 6:23). It is the result of our coming to an understanding all this, and realizing it is true. Then, and only then, can we choose to believe in, trust in, surrender to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Paul wrote,

"But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10:8-13).

Saving faith comes from hearing that results in repentance and surrender!