The nature of saving faith…

Human faith is knowing the lights will turn on when the switch is flipped because we have tried it and proven to our minds that it is true. Human faith is also deciding to believe the salesman because we have done our homework and found that the product he pitches has been tested and approved by 99% of other customers. Human faith is based on evidence.

What about spiritual faith, the faith that gives us a relationship with Jesus Christ and the sure promised of eternity with Him? The Bible says this is different:

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. (Hebrews 11:8)
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. (Hebrews 11:17–19)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9)
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)

Human faith requires proof and a decision. However, faith in Christ is a gift from God through hearing Him speak.

However, God also says of those who heard: “But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for ‘Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.’ But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, ‘I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.’ Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, ‘I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.’ But of Israel he says, ‘All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.’ ” (Romans 10:18–21)

Israel rejected what they heard. Their faith was in themselves rather than in the Lord, and their response to Him was clouded by their DIY determination, as the NT explains:

For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. (Romans 10:2–4)

Human faith trusts all sorts of things, but the faith that saves sinners from God’s wrath is about not trusting myself or anything I do or think. It is trusting Jesus Christ and what God says about Him. He took my penalty for sin and died in my place. This faith is about the object, about who or what we trust.

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)

He rose from the dead. He promises that all who trust Him are set free from the law that says ‘sin and die.’ He grants His righteousness to all who believe and in Him. We are no longer condemned.

The only thing that can keep anyone from the punishment sin deserves is that “do it yourself” attitude. God says no one can be saved that way because that way is actually sinful — it is a declaration of “I don’t need God” and a denial of His gift, even if the person who thinks that way has never heard about Jesus.

Today’s reading says, “A large proportion of God’s children never get beyond these hopes and longings. “I hope my sins will be forgiven some day”; “I hope I may be favored to reach heaven at last”; “I hope God loves me”; “I hope Christ died for me.” How can these be called “God’s children” for without faith, they are only His by creation and not part of His forever family because they lack genuine saving faith.

PRAY: Jesus, Your Word says it plainly to me, yet it seems many are filled with doubts rather than assurance of eternal life. You know who belongs to You and who makes the claim without genuine faith. You also know what to do about it. So again I pray for those who are unsure and leave them in Your capable hands. Turn them from ‘hope so’ to ‘know so’ as You see fit and as only You can do.