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Some people say they are "justified by faith."
They know they are saved because
- They "went forward"
- They signed a "decision card"
or
- They believe in an abstract theological doctrine called "imputation."
But is this a faith that saves?
The Westminster Confession of Faith (1648) describes true faith in this
way:
By this faith, a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in
the Word, for the authority of God himself speaking therein;[e] and acteth differently
upon that which each particular passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the
commands,[f] trembling at the threatenings,[g] and embracing the promises of God for this
life, and that which is to come.[h]
Let's examine the Biblical support for this statement, and ask ourselves a
few questions.
By this faith, a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is revealed in the
Word, for the authority of God himself speaking therein;[e]
- [e] 2 Pet. 1:20-21; John 4:42; I Thess. 2:13; I John 5:9-10; Acts 24:14
| 2 Peter 1:20-21 knowing this first, that no prophecy of
Scripture is of any private interpretation, {21} for prophecy never came by the will of
man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. |
The world would have us believe that the Bible is a human collection of
myths and legends. True faith overcomes the lies of
the New World Order. |
| John 4:42 Then they said to the woman, "Now we
believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that
this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world." |
Do you have faith in God's Word, or are you a follower of a TV evangelist,
radio preacher, or famous, well-dressed mega-church personality? Can you search the
Scriptures like the Bereans (Acts 17:11)? |
| 1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this reason we also thank God
without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you
welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which also
effectively works in you who believe. |
What evidence can you see that the Word of God "effectively
works" in your life. What evidence can your family see? What evidence can your
neighbors see? Your co-workers? |
| 1 John 5:9-10 If we receive the witness of men, the
witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His
Son. {10} He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not
believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has
given of His Son. |
What has more authority in your life, and is more determinative of the
decisions you make: the witness of the TV and the universities, or the witness of God? |
| Acts 24:14 "But this I confess to you, that
according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing
all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. |
If being a Christian were a crime, would you be charged? What would you
say at your trial? |
and acteth differently upon that which each particular passage
thereof containeth;
Every sentence, question, explanation, narrative -- every part of the Bible,
not just a part which begins with "Thou shalt not" -- is Law.
Saving faith recognizes what God demands and
"acteth differently" according to the Law-Word of God.
yielding obedience to the commands,[f]
[f]. Ps. 119:10-11; 48, 97-98, 167-168; John 14:15
| Psalm 119:10-11 With my whole heart I have sought You;
Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! {11} Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You! |
God's Law appeals to the heart,
not just the mind. |
| Psalm 119:48 My hands also I will lift up to Your
commandments, Which I love, And I will meditate on Your statutes. |
The man of faith lifts up his hands to God's Law, which is to say he worships God's Law. |
| Psalm 119:97-98 Oh, how I love Your law! It is my
meditation all the day. {98} You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my
enemies; For they are ever with me. |
Do you meditate on God's Law? |
| Psalm 119:167-168 My soul keeps Your testimonies, And I
love them exceedingly. {168} I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, For all my ways
are before You. |
Do you keep God's Ways before you?
Are you salt and light in your culture? |
| John 14:15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments. |
Can you be a true Christian if you
don't keep the commands of the Christ? (Christ means "King." But it's not enough to "believe" that Christ is
King. We must obey the King.) |
trembling at the threatenings,[g]
[g]. Ezra 9:4; Isa. 66:2; Heb. 4:1
| Ezra 9:4 Then everyone who trembled at the words of the
God of Israel assembled to me, because of the transgression of those who had been carried
away captive, and I sat astonished until the evening sacrifice. |
Some churches encourage their youthful converts to imagine Jesus as a
friend, not a King. A Jesus who wears tie-dyed shirts and surfs. Not a King before Whom we
tremble (Revelation 19:11f.). |
| Isaiah 66:2 For all those things My hand has made, And
all those things exist," Says the LORD. "But on this one will I look: On him who
is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word. |
To be a friend of Jesus is to tremble at His Word (John 15:14). The friend
of the King is also in a position of power (John 15:15; 19:12; Rev. 1:6; 5:10) a position
reserved for those with saving faith (James 2:23) who tremble at the Word of the King. |
| Hebrews 4:1 Therefore, since a promise remains of
entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. |
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and embracing the promises of God for this life, and that which
is to come.[h]
[h]. Heb. 11:13; I Tim. 4:8
| Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having
received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them
and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. |
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who
comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently
seek Him. |
| 1 Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but
godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that
which is to come. |
God promises to bless our obedience. True faith believes these promises,
and seeks out God's blessings. |
The Biblical Doctrine of Salvation
Justification by Allegiance
What Does God Require of You?
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