SAVING FAITH

SAVING FAITH

Text: James 2:14-26.

Delivered on: January 20, 2008. Streetsboro.

Introduction.

1. 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.

2. Without faith, it is impossible to please God.

3. Our faith overcomes the influence of the world. 1 John 5:4. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.

4. But what is faith?

5. Is faith all that we need in order to please God?

6. Or is faith just the beginning point?

Body.

1. WHAT IS FAITH?
   
   

   1. Dictionary definition: 1): belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2): belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion (1): firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2): complete trust Merriam-Webster

      1. Notice that much of the world believes that faith is a belief in something for which there is no proof.

      2. Some define faith as that “leap in the dark.”

      3. However, this is not Biblical Faith.
         
         

   2. Biblical definition: “Pistis” Conviction of the truth of anything, belief. Belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same. Thayer.

      1. First: It is a belief in or conviction of some fact.

         1. It is not a “leap in the dark.”

         2. It s a belief that is based upon evidence.

         3. This evidence can take many different forms.

         4. One form of evidence is the TESTIMONY of others.

         5. This is especially true of Christianity. Since none of us were there when Jesus walked the earth.

         6. We often sing the song, We Saw Thee Not. (#726)

         7. I have never seen the Great Wall of China. But I believe that it exists because I have seen evidence.

         8. I have never seen my brain. But I think it is there.

         9. We don’t have to actually see something with our eyes to know that it exists. 2 Corinthians 5:7. For we walk by faith, not by sight.

         10. To be a Christian, we must have faith in God.

             1. Believe that He exists.

             2. Trust Him.

             3. Believe in Him whom He sent. John 8:24. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."

      2. Second: It is a system of belief.

         1. The New Testament often talks about THE Faith.

            1. Acts 6:7. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

            2. Acts 13:8. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.

            3. Romans 1:5. Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,

            4. 1 Timothy 4:1. Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

         2. THE Faith was once delivered to the saints. Jude 1:3. Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

         3. THE Faith is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
            
            

2. EXAMPLES OF FAITH THAT DOES NOT SAVE.
   
   

   1. Mere acceptance of the existence of and power of God.

      1. Many believe that faith is simply acknowledging the existence of God.

      2. They would argue that this is the only thing that really matters. That everything else is secondary.

      3. Even some of our own brethren have espoused this. Saying things to the effect of: “When I see a man who calls God his Father, I see a brother.”

      4. We MUST believe in God to have Biblical faith. But it does not stop there.

      5. James 2:19. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble!

      6. We have an account of this very thing. Mark 5:1-7. Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. ² And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, ³ who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, ⁴ because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. ⁵ And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. ⁶ When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. ⁷ And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me."
         
         

   2. Faith that does not lead to action.

      1. A faith that does not lead to action is not saving faith.

      2. John 12:42-43. Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; ⁴³ for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

         1. Man of the rulers believed in Jesus.

         2. But their faith in Him did not lead them to action.

         3. Why? Because they preferred the praise of men more than the praise of God.

      3. Notice what James says. James 2:18. But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
         
         

   3. Faith based on incorrect or incomplete information.

      1. WHAT we believe is of vital importance.

      2. 2 John 7-11. For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. ⁸ Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. ⁹ Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; ¹¹ for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

      3. Saul of Tarsus had inaccurate information. He did not know that Jesus was the Christ. Acts 26:9. Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

         1. He believed that Jesus was a fake.

         2. He thought that Christians were heretics.

         3. He had inaccurate information.

         4. He was lost.

      4. Cornelius had incomplete information. Evidently, He did not know about Jesus. Acts 10:1-2. There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.

         1. He needed a teacher.

         2. God sent Peter. Acts 11:13-14. And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, 'Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, ¹⁴ who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.'

         3. Notice that Cornelius was not saved until he was taught correctly.
            
            

3. SAVING FAITH.
   
   

   1. Is an ACCURATE faith.

      1. Our faith must be based upon the truth.

      2. It must be based upon the teachings of Christ. Romans 10:17. So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

      3. Romans 10:1-2. Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. ² For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.

      4. There is much turmoil in the religious world today.

         1. Christianity has sinfully segregated itself into denominations.

         2. All teaching doctrines that, at least to some extent, contradict other church’s doctrines.

         3. The Holy Spirit is not the author of confusion. 1 Corinthians 14:33. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

         4. One group teaches that baptism is necessary for salvation. Another says that it is not.

         5. Both can not be correct.

         6. One of them is wrong and their faith is not based on correct information.

      5. The only way to heal this division among believers is to go back to the Word and obey it. The Word is the only standard of faith that is pleasing to God.

      6. That is the plea of the churches of Christ around the world.
         
         

   2. Is an ACTIVE faith.

      1. Faith without action is worthless.

         1. James 2:14-26. What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? ¹⁷ Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. ¹⁸ But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. ¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! ²⁰ But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? ²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? ²² Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? ²³ And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God. ²⁴ You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. ²⁵ Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? ²⁶ For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

            1. V.17. Faith without works is dead.

            2. V.20. Faith without works is dead.

            3. VV. 21-22. Abrahams faith was made complete by his works (offering Isaac).

            4. V.24. Justified by works and not faith only.

            5. V.25. Rahab was justified by works.

            6. V. 26. Faith without works is dead.

         2. There is no such thing as an undercover Christian. We must be active to be faithful.

      2. Faith without appropriate action is also worthless.

         1. We must serve God in the way He wants to be served.

         2. Leviticus 10:1-2. Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. ² So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.

         3. Matthew 7:21-23. "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. ²² Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' ²³ And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

         4. We must respect the authority of Jesus. Colossians 3:17. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
            
            

4. WHAT ABOUT GRACE?
   
   

   1. Are we teaching a WORKS salvation? No!
      
      

   2. We are saved by grace. We can never attain salvation through works of merit. Ephesians 2:8-9. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast.

      1. We are saved by grace.

      2. But we appropriate that grace through faith.

      3. And faith without works is dead.

      4. We work because we are saved. Not because we can earn it. Ephesians 2:10. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.