How Are We Saved? By Faith!
How are we saved?
Faith alone!
Ephesians 2:8 KJV For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
What is faith?
The gift of God - His gift of grace.
Where do we find this faith?
The Word of God - Jesus Christ
Romans 10:17 KJV So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Who is the Word?
John 1:1 KJV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:14 KJV And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
How much does this gift cost?
It is free!
Romans 5:14-15 KJV Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. (15) But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
Who paid the price?
Jesus Christ!
1 Corinthians 6:20 KJV For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Is belief included with this gift of faith?
Yes. Hearing and believing comes by the Word of God. Without the Word of God what is there to believe?
Romans 10:17 KJV So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Jesus is the Word and gives the Word that brings the faith that gives us the power to believe.
John 17:8 KJV For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
We believe because of the Word of God!
The “spirit of faith” believes!
2 Corinthians 4:13 KJV We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
Is the gift of God a functioning gift? Does it work?
Yes!
James 2:18 KJV Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
God’s gift of faith works!
Philippians 2:13 KJV For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Who begins and completes this “work?”
Jesus Christ. Our works can not save us!
Philippians 1:6 KJV Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Our works are filthy rags that do not save.
The work of Christ is our salvation by faith. It is the sole work that now "works" in us as we exercise this same faith in Him.
It is His righteousness and not our righteousness that saves. Faith keeps us and keeps us working His righteousness for His Glory!
Does the gift of God called faith include repentance?
Yes!
Acts 11:18 KJV When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
The truth can not be made clearer! We are saved by true faith that comes from a free gift from God in Jesus Christ.
It is a faith that believes, repents, and works.
A gift is not a gift if it is forced upon us.
We either accept it or reject it.
Father, I am a sinner in need of your mercy and grace. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who was born as a sinless Man to die on the cross for my sins. I believe that He is risen from the dead. I repent of my sins and confess that Jesus is my LORD and Savior. I will not be ashamed! In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.