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What Is Saving Faith?
Belief And Salvation
We frequently read in the Bible that if we believe we shall be saved. What does it mean to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ? Can it mean to simply believe that Jesus is the Savior, came to Earth as fully God and fully man, died on the cross for the sins of those who are saved, and rose from the dead? Does believing all of that save us?
We read about those who believed at first, but then fell away because there was no root:
"They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy, and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away." (Luke 8:13)
The root represents Christ (see Word Study on "Root").
We also read that even the devils believe, but of course they are not saved:
"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe and tremble." (James 2:19)
We read in John 2:23-24 about those who believed when they saw the miracles that Jesus had performed, but because their belief was based on miracles and not on Christ Himself they were not saved.
Acts chapter 8 tells us about the Samaritans who believed Philip when he preached concerning the kingdom of God. However, this same group also believed that Simon was under the power of God when he came with sorcery. Although they believed they did not receive the Holy Spirit and therefore were not saved.
There is more to believing on the Lord Jesus Christ than just having the knowledge of what He has done and believing it really took place. There is a great difference between believing with our minds or our emotions and believing with our entire being. The latter means to commit everything we are to Him, to place our entire life in His hands and surrender our will.
An Analogy
Suppose you are at Niagara Falls and a man is there who is going to attempt to walk above the falls on a rope stretched across the 1,000-foot gorge. You are on of many in a huge crowd of spectators. Your interest is peaked as you are watching this man walk across this rope with nothing more than a balance pole in his hands. Any misstep would mean sudden death as the man would plunge 160 feet to the rocks and churning waters below. Yet he has such talent, such skill, that he is able to do it. He maneuvers across that thin rope like it was no trouble for him. Upon accomplishing this amazing feat he comes to and talks to you,
"What did you think of my accomplishment?"
And you, with great sincerity, reply, "I think you were terrific! I have never seen anyone with ability and balance."
He then asks, "Do you think I could it again with someone on my shoulders?"
Again, in all honesty, you reply, "I believe you could do it without any trouble at all. You are exceedingly skillful."
Noticing your enthusiastic confidence in his ability, he then suggest, "Well, all right then. What do you say you hop on my shoulders and we prove to this crowd that I can do it?"
What a predicament you are in now. You have just informed your new friend that you believe he can accomplish this amazing act. You thought you were totally convinced that he could do it, but now he has asked you to commit your life to him. If he fails, you both will plunge to your death. You realize that life is more important than risking it with this entertainer. The trust you had in him emotionally because of your excitment has vanished. You realize you are not ready to believe in him so much as to entrust your life in his care and so you answer,
"I believe you could walk across that rope with a man on your shoulders... but I am not the man to do it with you. I must confess I do not believe in you that much."
Many today are emotionally carried away with a trust in Christ because of the spiritual excitment that often surrounds them. We have to ask ourselves, "Am I ready to entrust my entire lives with God?"
Saving Faith Involves Self-Denial
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." (Matthew 16:24)
This self-denial results in a continuing desire to follow God's law:
"And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments, He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." (1 John 2:3-4)
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